KEEPERS:
Hall/Yakupov/Eberle/Nuge/Schultz - No explaination necessary. These guys are the franchise.
Smid - Aside from being our best DFD and only 27, Smid is emerging as a leader, and definitely fits MacT's need for players who refuse to accept failure. He's also a player who was just signed to a long term extension that hasn't even kicked in yet. Hard to see him going anywhere.
Petry - A 25 year old RHD who can move the puck and has been playing against the opposition's best players for two years now isn't an easy thing to replace. He's not untouchable, but trading him away shouldn't be dealt with lightly. He's important.
Paajarvi - He's an underrated piece of the puzzle because so much emphasis is placed on point totals. He's an excellent compliment to the skill guys in that he's defensively responsible, and has enough offensive know-how to keep plays alive in the offensive zone. His size and attitude are also pluses in his favor. I also don't believe he would command the kind of return in a trade that would justify sending him away in the first place. He's an excellent fit in the 2/3 LW spot.
Horcoff - I should probably make it clear that I mean for this coming season only. He should (and likely will) be bought out in the 2014 offseason via compliance buyout. I like the player, but $5.5M is just too much cap space to commit to a player of his calibre. He plays important minutes for this team, and we should be looking for a capable replacement as soon as this offseason. Anton Lander is not going to be ready in a year (if ever), so Horcoff's replacement will probably have to come from outside the organization.
Dubnyk - An available upgrade on Dubnyk that makes sense for the team doesn't seem to exist.
POTENTIAL TRADE BAIT
Hemsky - He was back to his old self to start the year, and I truly believe a lot of why our powerplay stunk down the streatch had to do with Hemsky's absense. His injury explains the drop-off in production, but the fact remains that he just can't seem to stay healthy. I wouldn't move him just to get rid of him, but he can still be a game changer, and hopefully another team is willing to give up value to get him. If not, I'll be more than happy to see him stay an Oiler.
Gagner - I've been in one of Gagner's bigger cheerleaders on HF, and I'm definitely not in the "he's too small/we need to get bigger" camp. In fact, I feel dirty just putting his name in this category. But he's going to be in line for a big contract, and he probably carries the most trade value of all the non-untouchables on the roster.
N.Schultz - He definitely doesn't have to go, but I think they see Klefbom as his eventual successor. Eventual being the operative word, but if they can find an upgrade there, I could see him being shipped out for help elsewhere.
FREE AGENTS TO RE-SIGN:
Jones - If he comes cheap, then he still has a place on this team. I like him as the 4RW much more than Brown, because unlike Brown, you can actually play Jones on the 3rd line if need be. But this all depends on the contract. If he stays at the same price or lower, I keep him. Anything over $1.75M and he's outpricing his usefullness.
FREE AGENTS TO LET WALK:
Petrell - I love his PK abilities, but he's not good enough in other areas to bring him back.
Khabibulin - Goalie depth is needed badly, but Khabi is past his "best before" date. Being a good teammate is important, but you can't get by on that alone.
Smithson - He's big and wins faceoffs. That's pretty much it, and it's not enough. I'd rather keep Belanger, personally since I believe he's the better penalty killer and better offensively (scary, I know). I applaud the move to bring him in, but we should be able to do better.
Fistric - Fistric I could take or leave. He brings an element that we don't have anywhere else on the back end, but he is not a good enough defender to warrant a spot on the roster every game. If he comes with a contract that reflects that role, then I'm fine with it, but will he take less than he's currently making? I doubt it.
Whitney - Yeah...
Peckham - It seems like his ticket has been punched all season. Why we didn't just waive him during the year or trade him at the deadline, I'll never know. What was the plan with this kid? Because it certainly wasn't to play him.
THE REST:
Smyth - I keep him and let him play out his contract. I don't agree with the "Smyth is useless" mantra kept around here. Footspeed is a problem, but that's been true his entire career. With a normal shooting percentage he'd have been on pace for 30 points this year. Considering he was on the 4th line almost all year and playing out of position a great deal of that time, I'd say those are actually good numbers. Hartikainen should probably take over the 4LW spot afterwards
Brown - I get the appeal, but he's just a terrible hockey player. Talk about all flash and no substance. He skates fast in all directions and will fight, but I'm not sold on the idea that we're a better team with him than without. I'm ok with keeping him as long as he's in the pressbox as often as he's in the lineup, and that's mostly because he's got a sub-$750K cap hit. I'd just as well give his icetime to Jones and/or Hartikainen.
Belanger - Something seems to be up with him and if he was not to return, I'd be ok with it. This team needs a player who can do the things he does, but like Smithson, I'm not sure we can't do better.
Lander - I'd have him on the team as an extra forward for depth. He'll get 4th line time throughout the year due to inevitable injuries, and if he does well then give him the 4C spot the following year. He's got upside and the competative spirit MacTavish said he wants.
Potter - I think the combination of being a RHD and a $775M cap hit makes him a good candidate for the 7D position next year. We should have 6 superior defensemen to start the season, but I'd be ok with him waiting to step in if we need him. With that said, he's not a good defenseman, and I'd be much happier if he spend his final year under contract with the Oilers as a member of the OKC Barons.