A few thoughts:
1. Panarin gives us an unique opportunity to put two players in a position where they more or less cannot fail to get to a level where they can score regularly in the NHL.
I think the brass had that in mind when they were making calls on Puljujärvi.
I think we are underestimating the impact of these things. Some might think — why would someone become better by playing with someone that is good? But the thing is, it takes a long time to all across the board develop enough to become a complete player. And if you spend those years playing in a smaller role, you won’t get enough training with the puck. But if you can bridge that gap by letting a kid really just tag a long for the ride, they will nurture their offensive game and top end ability while becoming complete players, as well as of course learning a lot from the guys they play with.
I think Pulju would have been a great fit with Panarin. The kid is 6’5 and still a little square, could improve with and without the puck. But he got a really quick kind around the net and he is really good at moving the puck the way Panarin does, he sees those passes and lanes that keeps he puck within the team. It would have been perfect for him to play with a guy that can slow the pace down and get the puck up ice.
There are other alternatives around the league, not sure if anyone fits as well as JP.
BUT, keep your eyes out for Gorton and co going for a bit of a reclamation project.
2. I am not sold on that Gorton sees TDA and Buch as long term players.
We have a loooong history of treating selected players as second rate citizens. It can drag on, or go fast, but everything steady and surely moves towards and ends with us splitting ways with them. Zucc and Stralsy are two examples. Zucc stayed here a long time because he did whatever it took to stay. Left so much money on the table. Stralsy really wanted to stay but we simply didn’t want him. JT Miller is another one.
It is what it is, sometimes good sometimes bad I recon. But I wouldn’t at all be surprised if we parted ways with these two the coming years. They just don’t have the pedigree of the type of players Gorton usually falls in love with.
3. It’s interesting to hear
@Edge mention a top LD.
This is one of the big holes I am seeing also that I am expecting that management will try to do something about.
With all these things, cost of getting something done vs benefit of doing it can vary pretty much. I think we could gain pretty much short term for a cost that we certainly could overcome at LD. Improving us at center would be a heck lot more expensive.
I don’t know who they might target. Like a Roman Josi type would of course be perfect, but I recon of course that he won’t be moved. I’ve gleaned some at Ryan Suter, but he just can’t be an option due to the recapture penalty+LTIR impact (no need to go there if you don’t have to). I don’t think the math will add up with a UFAs like Krug. Hard to see OEL or Lindholm be traded.
It’s of course unlikely, but Sergachev has two guys infront of him at LD in Hedman and McD locked up for like what 6 more years. Playing him at RD will never be a long term solution.
Shayne Gostisbere could be an option. He had a great year and then he started losing confidence since he was used at RD. And haven’t found his footing. I don’t have great track of just how good he is right now. He was darn impressive a few years ago though, only 25 y/o. He is a bit of a personal favorite of mine, but with the caveat that I haven’t paid close attention to him in a while. Could he be had cheap? Any AV favorite going the other way?
Think we need that LD that can move the puck better than Skjei to be able to start doing better in the matchups against the best of the East. That guy is of course not easy to find...
Could also be a younger guy like Chychrun.
Gorton has assets to deal. I mean for the perfect fit, an offer of say Hajak and Buch could easily be afforded.
4. From my POV, I just can’t see that we wouldn’t trade Georgiev. I don’t see how the expansion draft can be any issue. There will be 70-80 guys out there that fits the criteria of the goalie that must be exposed. Hank will retire and we have an opening next to Shestyorkin. Can easily trade for a back-up or trade for a UFA to be that we can resign.
I really hope that Geo can get back on track and start to post some great numbers. But they maybe don’t have to be extremely good, because then his cap hit wouldn’t go through the roof. Could drive up his price a lot. Geo could be a very valuable asset.
5. We need more size if we trade Kreider.
