Offseason 2023 II - The Trotz Era Begins

[PredsV82]

Trotz is clearly making massive changes so the old thread and poll are pretty outdated.

I'll make a separate GDT for Free Agent Frenzy so all the league wide talk doesn't end up in here.

Click to read more...

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

We better not give out a stupid contract in UFA.

I think in our situation "stupidity" is tied mostly to "term". We can afford pretty much anything. And Trotz's philosophy seems to be steering in the direction of keeping term short, so that players stay hungry and don't get complacent.

Of course, the worst contracts on UFA Frenzy day are usually dumb money and dumb term. I don't expect any of those, whether from UFAs or trades.

But we might sign a "culture" player to a shorter term deal that still has some pretty high-looking $$$? I hope that's the case anyway.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Expensive buyout in the name of "giving our young players opportunities" then blocking their opportunities with a UFA would be stupid to me.

I don't see how it blocks anybody. We have 3 wide-open roster spots right now, 2F + 1D. It's not blocking anybody to put a UFA in those spots. We've already pushed all of our "ready" young players into the lineup. And STILL have those openings.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

So, uh...is the top 5 any good in 2024?

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

So, uh...is the top 5 any good in 2024?

Yes, but probably not as good as 2023? Mack Celebrini is going to Boston U next year as a 17-year old, and he's at least expected to be on Fantilli order, if not quite Bedard, he got 15 pts in 7 games at the WU18 for Canada, to lead the team as an underager at 16 (2 ahead of our Matthew Wood).

But he's kind of the only major "#1C" candidate so far? Eiserman and Demidov are wingers. Berkley Catton is another center, but I don't think he's seen on that "franchise" level yet.

So it's more like a "normal draft" next year? One good #1C at the top in Celebrini, then more like a mix of a couple wingers and a couple D (Kiviharju and Dickinson?) in the top-5?

But of course, there are always a few guys who shoot up the rankings as the new season progresses.


Honestly, I just don't think there's any magic bullet solution to going for the high draft pick. You not only have to suck, but then you need to win the Draft Lottery at 18% odds or less to get the 1 guy (Celebrini) who might actually make any difference.

 

[PredsV82]

So, uh...is the top 5 any good in 2024?

I really think the plan is to roll with the kids this year to see who can and cant hang, plug any holes with short term UFAs who can be flipped at the deadline, and hope for a lottery win or trade to get in the top 3.

Now that I've said that watch Trotz swing a bunch of trades and sign UFAs out the wazoo next week

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

I really think the plan is to roll with the kids this year to see who can and cant hang, plug any holes with short term UFAs who can be flipped at the deadline, and hope for a lottery win or trade to get in the top 3.

Now that I've said that watch Trotz swing a bunch of trades and sign UFAs out the wazoo next week

That's pretty discouraging. I'm not a big believer in throwing the kids out there for 82 games with not much to buoy them as optimal for their development. There were 4 winger slots up for grabs in the top 9 as it was with Forsberg and Duchene, and Sherwood could kicked down to the 4th if all of Tomasino, Evangelista, Kemell, Afanaseyev made a strong case. I expect us to now go and get a "veteran" winger tomorrow that is worse than Duchene to help be an insulating presence and also take away one of those precious roster slots.

Rebuilds f***ing suck and I didn't see Trotz as the type to be willing to ice an also-ran roster (barring other moves).

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

I really think the plan is to roll with the kids this year to see who can and cant hang, plug any holes with short term UFAs who can be flipped at the deadline, and hope for a lottery win or trade to get in the top 3.

Now that I've said that watch Trotz swing a bunch of trades and sign UFAs out the wazoo next week

I feel like it's a great year to be able to sign some UFAs at some form of bargain... whether that's $$$ or term, or both. Nobody has Cap space (who is trying to win anyway), and there aren't any big star UFAs, but there are going to be lots and lots of lesser guys who might have trouble finding a decent contract and be left without a chair when the music ends tomorrow.

Plus players are probably going to be a little more open-minded about taking shorter term deals this year than ever before (even 1-year deals)... because the Cap is expected to go up enormously next season. Next year is their chance for a bigger payday.

Which to me is like the "Perfect Storm" for signing guys on 1-year deals who are going to be highly motivated to perform well in the coming season.

 

[Kat Predator]

Yes, but probably not as good as 2023? Mack Celebrini is going to Boston U next year as a 17-year old, and he's at least expected to be on Fantilli order, if not quite Bedard, he got 15 pts in 7 games at the WU18 for Canada, to lead the team as an underager at 16 (2 ahead of our Matthew Wood).

But he's kind of the only major "#1C" candidate so far? Eiserman and Demidov are wingers. Berkley Catton is another center, but I don't think he's seen on that "franchise" level yet.

So it's more like a "normal draft" next year? One good #1C at the top in Celebrini, then more like a mix of a couple wingers and a couple D (Kiviharju and Dickinson?) in the top-5?

But of course, there are always a few guys who shoot up the rankings as the new season progresses.


Honestly, I just don't think there's any magic bullet solution to going for the high draft pick. You not only have to suck, but then you need to win the Draft Lottery at 18% odds or less to get the 1 guy (Celebrini) who might actually make any difference.

And even if all that breaks your way perfectly, the savior pick may flop. Or he may come along and be pretty good and Saros you right back to the middle of the pack. Or you might run out of cap space and try to trade for pieces to round things out.

But at least you get to market the savior.

 

[Kat Predator]

I'm stunned Asplund didn't get a qualifying offer.

 

[triggrman]

I’ll be the first to say I have no idea what this will look like. We’ve iced way less talented teams, but this may be the least experienced team we’ve had.

Please keep all hands inside the vehicle until the ride comes to a complete stop.


How good is Svechkov? How good is Kemell? We are about to find out how good all the kids are

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

 

[triggrman]

What about Schaefer? Is he skilled enough to make the jump?

 

[Kat Predator]

What about Schaefer? Is he skilled enough to make the jump?

Can he keep his arms in the vehicle? Good enough.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

How good is Svechkov? How good is Kemell? We are about to find out how good all the kids are

And I still don't think it should be assumed you can just throw guys into the deep end in the NHL. Even if small sample early returns have looked hopeful? Didn't Trotz also go on and on about "overcooking"? And how many 1st rounders will play in Milwaukee?

Naw, he's going to fill the holes with a few UFA guys. We are going to go "Culture Club" instead of "Country Club"!

Wait... loving would be easy if your colors were like my dreams? We dream big for these prospects, but I just don't think it's going to be Trotz's SOP to just throw guys into the deep end. He'll sign tide-me-over UFAs. If those guys bring grit and character, or could be flipped at the TDL a la Niederreiter, that's ultimately the better Long Game.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a guy like Svechkov or L'Heureux get time this year. Camp should be interesting.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

What about Schaefer? Is he skilled enough to make the jump?

No, he is not. Afanaseyev is far ahead of him if we want to go there.

 

[triggrman]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a guy like Svechkov or L'Heureux get time this year. Camp should be interesting.

For sure the most competitive camp we’ve had. Outside of Forsberg, Sissons and Trenin, is anyone guaranteed a slot up front?

 

[Armourboy]

For sure the most competitive camp we’ve had. Outside of Forsberg, Sissons and Trenin, is anyone guaranteed a slot up front?

Probably Novak since he can't be sent down without clearing waivers. I'd say Glass probably falls under the same category.

 

[herzausstein]

Probably Novak since he can't be sent down without clearing waivers. I'd say Glass probably falls under the same category.

Glass and novak probably got roster spots but theyre gonna be competing with each other for linemates and ice time

 

[Edgework]

For sure the most competitive camp we’ve had. Outside of Forsberg, Sissons and Trenin, is anyone guaranteed a slot up front?

no guarantees but surely they don’t send Joey packing unless they’re pretty sure they like glass, juuso, and Novak

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

no guarantees but surely they don’t send Joey packing unless they’re pretty sure they like glass, juuso, and Novak

I was getting a little bit scared that they didn't see the same things in Parssinen that I do. But now, I feel more vindicated.

I guess let's see what tomorrow brings, though?

 

[Edgework]

I was getting a little bit scared that they didn't see the same things in Parssinen that I do. But now, I feel more vindicated.

I guess let's see what tomorrow brings, though?

Ye gods I love parssinen. I am concerned that I’m losing my mind, because nobody else seems to see him that way.

I’m like the world’s only giggling slobbering parssinen fan

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

Ye gods I love parssinen. I am concerned that I’m losing my mind, because nobody else seems to see him that way.

I’m like the world’s only giggling slobbering parssinen fan

Nope, there are at least 2 of us.

 

[nine_inch_fang]

Ye gods I love parssinen. I am concerned that I’m losing my mind, because nobody else seems to see him that way.

I’m like the world’s only giggling slobbering parssinen fan

Nope, there are at least 2 of us.

I got your backs on that. I can't wait to see him this year.