Waived: Steve Downie (Cleared and assigned to the AHL)

[The Feckless Puck]

It's easy to sit back now and see what worked and what didn't. I think most of us were happy with the moves at the time, especially Downie and Vermette, and those two probably have disappointed the most.

I was cautiously optimistic about Downie, but I was afraid he'd just end up like Carcillo - a penalty magnet. And when he showed utterly no interest in stepping up for the kids I figured he wasn't long for the team.

Vermette, I didn't want him back. I feel like the whole "get the band back together" movement does a disservice to a franchise that has needed new blood for the longest time.

 

[Jakey53]

I was cautiously optimistic about Downie, but I was afraid he'd just end up like Carcillo - a penalty magnet. And when he showed utterly no interest in stepping up for the kids I figured he wasn't long for the team.

Vermette, I didn't want him back. I feel like the whole "get the band back together" movement does a disservice to a franchise that has needed new blood for the longest time.

I really liked the Downie signing and was ok with the Vermette signing only because of the $$. Wrong on both, although because of injuries at center Vermette has come in handy.

 

[cobra427]

I really liked the Downie signing and was ok with the Vermette signing only because of the $$. Wrong on both, although because of injuries at center Vermette has come in handy.

Vermette had a really slow start but has been much better the last 20 games or so. Z has slowed more than Vermette. We needed both to make the transition this year and next as more young guys are in the line up. Z was bad at first too, but has been better lately.

 

[RemoAZ]

I hated our FA signings. I still would have rather they done nothing than all the signings. Only one I didn't hate was Vermette because it seemed like good value considering our lack of center depth. We definitely didn't need Downey. One Tipchura is more than enough.

 

[hbk]

In fairness Martinook has fit in perfectly. Nobody saw that coming. Even me who liked his compete level in the A. He's been a revelation.

I wonder if we are sitting with our finger on the waiver wire for a F or possibly a G.

 

[rt]

Our lines are all playing one out of their ability. That's the problem.

Vermette will be fine when he has Richardson's job and Richardson will be fine when he has Gordon's job.

Insert Strome, hang onto Hanzal, and things get better quickly.

Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
Rieder-Strome-Boedker
Dvorak-Vermette-Doan
Nook-Richardon-Tikhonov

 

[RemoAZ]

Domi-Strome-Duclair
Perlini-Dvorak-Boedker
Rieder-Hanzal-Tiki/Hank
Martinook-Vermette-Doan

 

[Mosby]

I like using this year's third line (Nook-Richardson-Doan) as the fourth line next year.

 

[Jakey53]

In fairness Martinook has fit in perfectly. Nobody saw that coming. Even me who liked his compete level in the A. He's been a revelation.

I wonder if we are sitting with our finger on the waiver wire for a F or possibly a G.

....and a D. Can't wait for TTD.

 

[Jakey53]

Domi-Strome-Duclair
Perlini-Dvorak-Boedker
Rieder-Hanzal-Tiki/Hank
Martinook-Vermette-Doan

So you think Richardson is gone in a trade? I don't see Perlini making the team next year.

 

[cobra427]

Domi-Strome-Duclair
Perlini-Dvorak-Boedker
Rieder-Hanzal-Tiki/Hank
Martinook-Vermette-Doan

I like your optimism but Strome/Dvorak are not going to take over as the 1c/2c next year. Domi/Duclair have been top 6 forwards so far but they are wingers. 1c/2c is a way harder transition. Perlini being in the top 6 is also unlikely. We caught lightening in a bottle with rookies this year, not likely to happen with 3 more next year in the top 6.

 

[RemoAZ]

I like your optimism but Strome/Dvorak are not going to take over as the 1c/2c next year. Domi/Duclair have been top 6 forwards so far but they are wingers. 1c/2c is a way harder transition. Perlini being in the top 6 is also unlikely. We caught lightening in a bottle with rookies this year, not likely to happen with 3 more next year in the top 6.

Hanzal's line will see see the bulk of the minutes. I just like ordering them scoring line, scoring line, defense, energy. I don't think it's a stretch to see Strome and Dvorak centering two lines next year (but please please please make Matthews be one of them instead). They're already good enough that they'd have both seen big minutes this season if not for the funky prospect/league rules. I think my proposed lines maximize talent up and down the roster. We need more talent to be a consistent contender in the playoffs. These might not be the best players to win game one of 82 but with a full season under their belts, they give us the talent to succeed in the playoffs. IMO of course.

 

[Jakey53]

I like your optimism but Strome/Dvorak are not going to take over as the 1c/2c next year. Domi/Duclair have been top 6 forwards so far but they are wingers. 1c/2c is a way harder transition. Perlini being in the top 6 is also unlikely. We caught lightening in a bottle with rookies this year, not likely to happen with 3 more next year in the top 6.

Yeah, I agree. I don't see Perlini making the team next year but we might have a surprise somewhere else.

 

[rt]

Perlini has regressed in juniors. I'm pulling this out of my ass, but I suspect that 29/30 1st round picks that regress in Jrs in their draft +2 just straight bust and become nothing at all.

 

[hbk]

Perlini has regressed in juniors. I'm pulling this out of my ass, but I suspect that 29/30 1st round picks that regress in Jrs in their draft +2 just straight bust and become nothing at all.

Wheeler was awful for 4 years after he was drafted.

 

[rt]

Wheeler was awful for 4 years after he was drafted.

You and I have totally different recollections of Blake Wheeler's college days. I saw a 6'5 Ladislav Nagy, a hard driving winger with tons of creativity and easy 60+ point NHL upside. The only thing that surprised me was how well he rounded out defensively.

 

[Bonsai Tree]

Domi-Strome-Duclair
Perlini-Dvorak-Boedker
Rieder-Hanzal-Tiki/Hank
Martinook-Vermette-Doan

Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
Reider-Strome-Boekder
Doan-Vermette-Dvorak
Martinook - Gordon- Tiki

Hank as a mid season call up. Perilini gets a year in the A to re-discover himself.

Please don't write off Gordon, people. He is by far the best 4th line center that we have. He is defensively sound, great in the dot and great on the wall. He pushes the game forward as a 4th line center should do.

Also, I like breaking in young, not McJesus centers as forwards for the first year to get their feet wet in the NHL.

 

[Jakey53]

I like your optimism but Strome/Dvorak are not going to take over as the 1c/2c next year. Domi/Duclair have been top 6 forwards so far but they are wingers. 1c/2c is a way harder transition. Perlini being in the top 6 is also unlikely. We caught lightening in a bottle with rookies this year, not likely to happen with 3 more next year in the top 6.

Perlini has regressed in juniors. I'm pulling this out of my ass, but I suspect that 29/30 1st round picks that regress in Jrs in their draft +2 just straight bust and become nothing at all.

Wheeler was awful for 4 years after he was drafted.

You and I have totally different recollections of Blake Wheeler's college days. I saw a 6'5 Ladislav Nagy, a hard driving winger with tons of creativity and easy 60+ point NHL upside. The only thing that surprised me was how well he rounded out defensively.

No one knew who the hell he was when he was drafted and many were laughing at the selection. Wish we still had him.

 

[cobra427]

Hanzal's line will see see the bulk of the minutes. I just like ordering them scoring line, scoring line, defense, energy. I don't think it's a stretch to see Strome and Dvorak centering two lines next year (but please please please make Matthews be one of them instead). They're already good enough that they'd have both seen big minutes this season if not for the funky prospect/league rules. I think my proposed lines maximize talent up and down the roster. We need more talent to be a consistent contender in the playoffs. These might not be the best players to win game one of 82 but with a full season under their belts, they give us the talent to succeed in the playoffs. IMO of course.

Even with more limited minutes, we are asking too much of Strome/Dvorak to both be at center, too much responsibility at the NHL level. I would sign Gordon and let Dvorak play some wing in his first year, if he even makes the team.

 

[Ebb]

Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
Reider-Strome-Boekder
Doan-Vermette-Dvorak
Martinook - Gordon- Tiki

Please don't write off Gordon, people. He is by far the best 4th line center that we have. He is defensively sound, great in the dot and great on the wall. He pushes the game forward as a 4th line center should do.

Well, as a UFA, I'm guessing Gordon'll go elsewhere after this season.

Domi - Hanzal - Duclair
?? - Strome - Reider (I'm also guessing Boedker will sign to another team)
Dvorak - Vermette - Doan
Martinook - ?? / Vitale (if he returns) - Richardson

The question marks are UFA signings or trade acquisitions

 

[XX]

He pushes the game forward as a 4th line center should do.

No he doesn't. He does the opposite. It's why he gets traded around rather than teams hanging on to him. Richardson and Vermette are better options as the 4C.

 

[Jakey53]

Domi-Hanzal-Duclair
Reider-Strome-Boekder
Doan-Vermette-Dvorak
Martinook - Gordon- Tiki

Hank as a mid season call up. Perilini gets a year in the A to re-discover himself.

Please don't write off Gordon, people. He is by far the best 4th line center that we have. He is defensively sound, great in the dot and great on the wall. He pushes the game forward as a 4th line center should do.

Also, I like breaking in young, not McJesus centers as forwards for the first year to get their feet wet in the NHL.

I like this line up, but I would replace Tiki with Richardson. It will also depend on what kind of money Gordon wants.

 

[Jakey53]

No he doesn't. He does the opposite. It's why he gets traded around rather than teams hanging on to him. Richardson and Vermette are better options as the 4C.

They are, but we can't have a 4C making 3mill/yr.

 

[cobra427]

They are, but we can't have a 4C making 3mill/yr.

I would want to keep Richardson/Gordon even if Dvorak and Strome make the team next year. We could play Richardson and Dvorak on the wing, with Strome/Hanzal/Vermette/Gordon as C's. We are 1st or second in the NHL on the dot this year, and being deep at C will help us on draws when somebody gets booted out of the circle and when somebody(Hanzal) is injured.

 

[Ebb]

I would want to keep Richardson/Gordon even if Dvorak and Strome make the team next year. We could play Richardson and Dvorak on the wing, with Strome/Hanzal/Vermette/Gordon as C's. We are 1st or second in the NHL on the dot this year, and being deep at C will help us on draws when somebody gets booted out of the circle and when somebody(Hanzal) is injured.

As much as I like winning faceoffs, it's meaningless if you can't score and Gordon doesn't help us there (even though he's on the 4th). If we don't re-sign Gordon, we could look for a scoring winger (or set-up center). Of course, I'd like to get rid of Vermette as well (unless he can get his mojo back), but that would probably only be in the form of a buyout which we have to watch if we plan on buying out Smith next season or the season after that.

As much as I liked Downie's grit, we need more skilled forwards at this point even if our FO percentage drops. Going with Hanzal/Strome/Vermette/Vitale (if he returns) at center would be okay as we continue to rebuild. That would leave Rieder/Duclair/Doan (if he doesn't retire and we re-sign him)/Richardson at RW (Downie's position), which is a pretty good crew (again for the rebuild). Our weakness then ends up being LW, which would be Domi/Dvorak/Martinook at the moment. I'm thinking Tikhonov won't be re-signed in the NHL (although he hasn't done too bad for us), but if we did re-sign him, we could move Doan to the LW leaving us with Domi/Dvorak/Doan/Martinook which would probably be our weakest position, so I'd prefer to sign or trade for a #1/#2 LW to improve that area