Paul MacLean Thread, Part II

[Do Make Say Think]

Sell at the dead line(trade Michalek and don't trade for Hemsky), don't sign Michalek, tell Phillips its a 1 year deal or he's retiring, and sign Da Costa.

Not a single significant trade but I think we'd better off with this happening instead.

What do we get in return for Michalek? More bad players?

 

[SilverSeven]

Anyone know where we have finished in shots against while Maclean has been here?

 

[Do Make Say Think]

Bottom three in the last three seasons (including this one) for sure

Not sure about 2011-2012

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Wouldn't surprise me if this was true.

Like if NJ made Larsson available but started to doubt themselves because Murray was the first to inquire.

Same thing happened with Toronto years ago in that big swap with Calgary to get Gilmour. After that trade, no one wanted to deal with Burke (or whoever the GM was at the time) and be made to look like a fool. A one-sided trade like that could easily kill a GM's career.

 

[Benjamin]

What do we get in return for Michalek? More bad players?

A mid pick?

 

[BonkTastic]

... that big swap with Calgary to get Gilmour. After that trade, no one wanted to deal with Burke (or whoever the GM was at the time).

Burke? Haha...

That was Cliff Fletcher.

 

[Do Make Say Think]

A mid pick?

He was a UFA having a bad year at the time

I very much doubt anyone would have given anything substantial for him

Never mind that your scenario means the team doesn't reach the cap floor

 

[Benjamin]

He was a UFA having a bad year at the time

I very much doubt anyone would have given anything substantial for him

Never mind that your scenario means the team doesn't reach the cap floor

then overpay someone on a 1 year contract instead of wasting 3 years on Michalek.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Burke? Haha...

That was Cliff Fletcher.

lol, that's the one. The brain doesn't work as well as it used to. And so many years of that "get'er done, Burkie!" from Leaf fans...ugh. Burke is stuck in my head like a bad commercial jingle.

 

[Holdurbreathe]

Sell at the dead line(trade Michalek and don't trade for Hemsky), don't sign Michalek, tell Phillips its a 1 year deal or he's retiring, and sign Da Costa.

Not a single significant trade but I think we'd better off with this happening instead.

You could be right, but I don't think Michalek for Da Costa would make the team that much better.

The current reality is the top six hasn't produced consistently enough, the young D is still learning and the veterans in the bottom six have been average IMO.

This suggests adding a forward or two to improve on one or more of Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Zibanejad, Hoffman, Chaisson, and/or Stone.

To make this happen it means moving/waiving one or two of the bottom six, Neil, Michalek, Legwand, Condra or Smith. IMO these players aren't going to bring a top six forward in return.

So unless Murray is willing to move youth there is no easy solution other than draft well and be patient.

On defense, same thing applies IMO.

Phillips is a problem only because MacLean plays him too much and at the same time sits Cowen/Wiercoich. The D is young, needs time to mature and IMO should be playing now since this team isn't ready to compete.

So again, unless Murray is willing to move youth the only answer is to be patient.

I believe Murray signed Michalek and Legwand because they were available at the price point he could afford and because the organization didn't want to risk going all in with youth.

Would Pageau be a better option than Legwand, certainly looks like that could be the case now, but this decision was made in the summer. Same could be said about Puempel over Michalek.

The Phillips decision was probably made with the thinking his experience and mentorship was invaluable, but his ice time would probably be reduced.

Watching this team play can be frustrating knowing a player or two could make then a very solid playoff group, but getting what they need isn't as simple as some would like to suggest.

BTW doing nothing is a decision and in many cases the right decision.

 

[Benjamin]

You could be right, but I don't think Michalek for Da Costa would make the team that much better.

The current reality is the top six hasn't produced consistently enough, the young D is still learning and the veterans in the bottom six have been average IMO.

This suggests adding a forward or two to improve on one or more of Turris, MacArthur, Ryan, Zibanejad, Hoffman, Chaisson, and/or Stone.

To make this happen it means moving/waiving one or two of the bottom six, Neil, Michalek, Legwand, Condra or Smith. IMO these players aren't going to bring a top six forward in return.

So unless Murray is willing to move youth there is no easy solution other than draft well and be patient.

On defense, same thing applies IMO.

Phillips is a problem only because MacLean plays him too much and at the same time sits Cowen/Wiercoich. The D is young, needs time to mature and IMO should be playing now since this team isn't ready to compete.

So again, unless Murray is willing to move youth the only answer is to be patient.

I believe Murray signed Michalek and Legwand because they were available at the price point he could afford and because the organization didn't want to risk going all in with youth.

Would Pageau be a better option than Legwand, certainly looks like that could be the case now, but this decision was made in the summer. Same could be said about Puempel over Michalek.

The Phillips decision was probably made with the thinking his experience and mentorship was invaluable, but his ice time would probably be reduced.

Watching this team play can be frustrating knowing a player or two could make then a very solid playoff group, but getting what they need isn't as simple as some would like to suggest.

BTW doing nothing is a decision and in many cases the right decision.

Maybe Murray is one the people trying to steal Eberle with low ball offers? Didn't it end up being Murray was in discussion with Anaheim about Ryan for over a year before the trade finally happened?

Maybe he's waiting to cash in on this years Silfverberg or Rundblad? Not sure who that would be though.

I certainly dont want a trade just to make a trade. Those are always regretful.

 

[blahblah3]

If it was honestly from Bobby Ryan I would think he would complain about being used as a utility piece instead of on the first line where he can be far more productive. I think Ryan has a lot to beef about, but his ice time is not at the top of the list.

Ryan: Coach, I really need more ice time.
Mac: Sure thing, would you like to take those extra shifts with Legwand or Neil?
Ryan: Never mind.

I know you are joking but there is a very good chance this actually happened. Lol.

 

[Minister of Offence]

Maybe Murray is one the people trying to steal Eberle with low ball offers? Didn't it end up being Murray was in discussion with Anaheim about Ryan for over a year before the trade finally happened?

Maybe he's waiting to cash in on this years Silfverberg or Rundblad? Not sure who that would be though.

I certainly dont want a trade just to make a trade. Those are always regretful.

No ones getting Eberle for cheap. Trading eberle is almost guaranteed regret unless it's a monster deal that reshapes two teams.

 

[Quo]

According to Garrioch, we're after Perron and Eberle is probably not going anywhere.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/12/06/dallas-stars-looking-to-upgrade-in-net

Coaches in SJ, EDM and OTT "on notice".

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

According to Garrioch, we're after Perron and Eberle is probably not going anywhere.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/12/06/dallas-stars-looking-to-upgrade-in-net

Coaches in SJ, EDM and OTT "on notice".

For the love of Jeebus, we have to stop going after Stewart.

Also, I hate to see the on notice stuff. Like a coaching change will really help this year. PMac is handcuffed by the players Murray gives him, and Murray is handcuffed by the cash Melnyk gives him.

 

[Ouroboros]

Thoughts on why we're never linked to defensemen in trade rumors?

 

[DrunkUncleDenis]

Thoughts on why we're never linked to defensemen in trade rumors?

because "play the kids".

It's really bizarre that we never looked for help in our weakest position for the last 2 years. Now we are weak up front as well as on the blueline.

 

[Sensinitis]

The reason is that our D is young and we have to be patient. Already showing lots of progress.

Cowen, Ceci, Methot, Karlsson haven't all dressed for the same game this season, but it looks like it can be a good top-four.

 

[Micklebot]

According to Garrioch, we're after Perron and Eberle is probably not going anywhere.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/12/06/dallas-stars-looking-to-upgrade-in-net

Coaches in SJ, EDM and OTT "on notice".

Oilers are a mess. I've always liked Perron, he's a great support piece. Oilers want a center though, and I doubt they'd accept any combination Smith + our spare parts (Michalek, Greening, Condra, Legwand).

But if we could nab him for stuff that's worth less than him, this looks pretty good:

Mac - Turris - Ryan
Perron - Zibanejad - Chiasson
Hoffman - Lazar - Stone
Greening/Michalek - Pageau/Legwand - Condra/Neil

The top 3 RW are almost interchangeable. 4th line mins for Michalek/legwand and Neil Condra works for me.

I don't think it's enough to get us back into the playoff picture but it does look like a potential playoff team had we started the year lined up like that (assuming Methot was also healthy).

 

[Icelevel]

According to Garrioch, we're after Perron and Eberle is probably not going anywhere.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2014/12/06/dallas-stars-looking-to-upgrade-in-net

Coaches in SJ, EDM and OTT "on notice".

Easy there. Says we're Possibly one of 6 teams interested.

 

[ChocolateLeclaire]

Easy there. Says we're Possibly one of 6 teams interested.

Which means we won't get him. Murray never gets into bidding wars with other GMs. He usually works the one-on-one relationships he has.

So look for a deal with either Anaheim or Phoenix.

 

[Micklebot]

because "play the kids".

It's really bizarre that we never looked for help in our weakest position for the last 2 years. Now we are weak up front as well as on the blueline.

Until just recently, we've always had help on the way with Methot. Hard to justify moving for something before you actually know where what you have is actually at. Also, we have 8 guys right now; We probably don't want to pick up another D without one moving out, and teams that want to move a D don't want one back. Lastly, not many D available out there (Leddy and Boychuk already got moved)

 

[Cosmix]

Those comments were typical Maclean jokes. I doubt they were serious.

Yes, I think they are too. They express a little frustration as well with how the team is playinng and, given the circumstances (i.e., the mounting losses and falling out of playoff position), is understamdable and probably preferable to calling out individual players for any specific faux pas!

 

[Micklebot]

Which means we won't get him. Murray never gets into bidding wars with other GMs. He usually works the one-on-one relationships he has.

So look for a deal with either Anaheim or Phoenix.

Or Columbus, Boston, St-louis, Dallas...

 

[Cosmix]

Which means we won't get him. Murray never gets into bidding wars with other GMs. He usually works the one-on-one relationships he has.

So look for a deal with either Anaheim or Phoenix.

I doubt very many trades if any are made without trying to trade the players to other teams during the process, so I don't think there are any one-on-one trades.