Speculation: Off-season Pivot Point: Centers of Attention

[dkollidas]

With Krueger coming in as the new coach, and his penchant for being an intelligent and, within the hockey world at least, outside the box thinker, is this the best chance we have to see Reinhart at center.

 

[Fezzy126]

With Krueger coming in as the new coach, and his penchant for being an intelligent and, within the hockey world at least, outside the box thinker, is this the best chance we have to see Reinhart at center.

I gave up the dream of Reinhart at center when I read the Lebrun tweet about us looking to acquire a top 6 center and a top 6 winger. Based on that, Botts' continued praising of Tage, and his continued mentioning of the Sheary trade, I'm now convinced that they see this as our roster construction moving into next year:

Skinner-Eichel-Reinhart
Olofsson-XXX-YYY
Sheary-Mitts-Thompson
ZZZ-Larsson-Okposo

Where XXX & YYY are acquired via UFA or trade using some combination of Erod, Nylander, Girgs, one of our left-handed defensemen, and draft picks. Whoever is left fills ZZZ.

 

[Gabrielor]

Turris is the worst target there is... that contract is Okposo level bad

On Zucker rumors, it sounded like sources told him that there was actual engagement.

On Turris rumors right after, it sounded like he was just pulling out a name.

 

[Fjordy]

I'd rather trade Sheary and Thompson than ERod and Nylander.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'd rather trade Sheary and Thompson than ERod and Nylander.

And that is why they likely don't have a ton of trade value right now.

 

[sabresfan65]

I would think they can find a taker for Eakin after last season and if need be, they can move Haula as well to free that space for Glass and allow them to sign Bellamare. Or they could bundle up Eakin or Haula with the Clarkson contract and say... a pick for something like say... pocket lint to get all the cap space they need.

I actually think, and this is just a thought, that Clarkson has already been "traded" as part of the Stone deal. He has a 2.25 mil bonus due next year and my guess is the Knights will pay the portion of the bonus not covered by insurance and then he will be moved to Ottawa where they will only be on the hook for the part of the 1 mil salary not covered by insurance.

I keep trying to figure out if I would like Glass to start in Chicago next year or just throw him from the Wolves into the NHL after his end of the season run.

 

[HaNotsri]

So after contemplating on this list a bit I want both Pageau and Carpenter (or someone similar).
Pageau might be able to hold the fort if we Mittelstadt doesn't take the next step and Reinhart continues as a winger. Carpenter is needed if Larsson breaks down since that bizarre match up line will be needed to put in a lot of minutes for us to win with our one line team (that hopefully becomes a two line team soon).

 

[dkollidas]

I know it probably won’t happen, but I’d love to see an Andrew Copp offersheet. Or if not I’d be more than happy to give up #31 for him.

6yr. 3.5M Aav works out to $4.2M over 5 yrs in terms of compensation for offersheet. That would have us owing Winnipeg a 2020 2nd Round Pick. I’d pay #31 to acquire his rights as our own and have right of first refusal in case anyone tries to swoop in.

 

[tsujimoto74]

I know it probably won’t happen, but I’d love to see an Andrew Copp offersheet. Or if not I’d be more than happy to give up #31 for him.

6yr. 3.5M Aav works out to $4.2M over 5 yrs in terms of compensation for offersheet. That would have us owing Winnipeg a 2020 2nd Round Pick. I’d pay #31 to acquire his rights as our own and have right of first refusal in case anyone tries to swoop in.

A 1st?? For Copp?? Heck, even a 2nd? Guy's a 30 point player.

 

[vcv]

A 1st?? For Copp?? Heck, even a 2nd? Guy's a 30 point player.

Agreed, doesn't make sense.

Plus we can sign him in 5-6 years when he's on the decline, for no asset cost.

 

[dkollidas]

A 1st?? For Copp?? Heck, even a 2nd? Guy's a 30 point player.

He’s a 30pt player but I think he could be more. I know he’s 23-24 but he’s a solid defensive center and could be a good platoon option with Mittelstadt as the middle 2 centers

 

[tsujimoto74]

He’s a 30pt player but I think he could be more. I know he’s 23-24 but he’s a solid defensive center and could be a good platoon option with Mittelstadt as the middle 2 centers

Still not worth anywhere near that high a pick. You pay for the player he is, not the player you hope he can be. Also, he was 24 all of last season and turns 25 next month. Odds are, if he were going to break out further, he already would have done it. Forwards that "arrive" at age 25+ are pretty few and far between.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Just a thought, but what about trying to pry McCann out of Pittsburgh? 35 points last year and I can see him hitting 50 if he's put higher in the lineup.

 

[valet]

Just a thought, but what about trying to pry McCann out of Pittsburgh? 35 points last year and I can see him hitting 50 if he's put higher in the lineup.

It would be a good add but I don't see them trading to him us realistically considering our assets. What are we really working with? Nylander? Thompson? Our late 1st? And I think they value McCann quite a bit over there

 

[Zman5778]

Just a thought, but what about trying to pry McCann out of Pittsburgh? 35 points last year and I can see him hitting 50 if he's put higher in the lineup.

Is he a true center? Never hitting 50% in the dot gives me pause......and I'm not sure he's a 50 pt guy.

Might be an ideal 3rd line winger........

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Is he a true center? Never hitting 50% in the dot gives me pause......and I'm not sure he's a 50 pt guy.

Might be an ideal 3rd line winger........

Centred the #1 line when in junior playing for the Greyhounds. Took all the draws for them on the PK. This year was his first year playing above the 4th line. (3rd line in PIT). Is still young (23) and costs only 1.2M for the next year. Scored 4 shorthanded goals last year. 11 goals, 18 points in 32 games after being traded to Pittsburgh, and 0 of those were PP points. With an increase in icetime, I wouldn't be surprised to see 50 points.

It would be a good add but I don't see them trading to him us realistically considering our assets. What are we really working with? Nylander? Thompson? Our late 1st? And I think they value McCann quite a bit over there

I would trade the late 1st + McCabe for McCann + Kasper Bjorkqvist

 

[Fjordy]

McCabe for McCann would be interested, just as Pittsburgh just exchanged his LHD and it’s probably risky to start next season with Pettersson in top 4, and Johnson is just bad.

 

[flashsabre]

I mentioned before, a lot of teams had McCann on their Do Not Draft list and he has been passed around the league a lot. I would avoid him, this team can't afford character flaw guys right now.