Sore Loser
Sorest of them all
Go big or go big.
I'd like to weigh in. I've been lurking around a bit since my frustration boiled over in the playoffs (see: insanity)... I have gotten back into the team as they continue to grow. Particularly after getting to see them in Raleigh a few weeks ago. It piqued my interest again.
Go big and buy. Either go out and get a Tarasenko, Mark Stone, Duchene, whatever it may be. Personally I'd be hopeful in that specific order- Tarasenko is a game breaker, even if Panarin walked he would give us a legitimate top line threat. If he gets Panarin to stay, even better. What would it take? No doubt a quality, young piece, plus a little more.
Werenski + Milano + probably a pick. Too rich for your blood? Let me introduce you to plan B.
Mark Stone should intrigue most of us. He's not a game breaking player like Tarasenko or Duchene (more on him to follow), but he is a quality winger that would fit right into our second line, quite nicely. Let's not forget that acquiring Vanek last year, caused Wennberg to figure it out for a time. Stone is a similar player to Vanek, but a huge upgrade as an all-around player. He's a big body that can finish around the net, but may also be the best defensive winger in the entire league. I think he's tremendously underrated and might give us a great fit on the new-look second line. He's a little slow afoot, so picture this lineup with a little speed on the other side:
Panarin-Dubois-Atkinson
Stone-Wennberg-Anderson
Foligno-Jenner-Duclair
Sedlak/Hannikainen-Dubinsky/Nash-Bjorkstrand
The best part about Mark Stone: He's a UFA, so he will likely come cheaper. The Sens are going to be in full rebuild mode, so I don't see why we would give up a core roster piece like we would have to for Tarasenko.
Milano + 1st, or Milano + 2nd + Carlsson, might be enough.
The third player we should be going hard at is Matt Duchene. Contrary to what I've read so much of, I don't really feel like we need to upgrade Wennberg all that much. Let me qualify: I cannot stand watching him play right now either, he's been easily the worst forward on the team for the recent games I've seen. But, let's not forget that just two years ago, he was a 60 point player and centering our top line. We have made the mistake of dealing away quality youth and giving up on them too soon before (see a guy whose name I see a lot on this thread as a potential trade target). I think Wennberg can still be a damn productive player; the size, skill, and speed are all there. They just need to simplify things for him and get him some confidence. It can be fixed.
Duchene would be an amazing addition, but rather than at the expense of Wennberg, we should be thinking in addition to. Like Stone, he should be available for some futures. But, as a center and a higher end talent, he'll be more expensive.
Foudy/Texier + 1st + 3rd + B level prospect. I really think that will be the asking price for this player at the deadline. Ottawa gave up way too much for him.
That's the long-winded version from me. In addition to acquiring one of these players, I think the only thing for this franchise to do is cut ties with Bobrovsky. Recoup some of the futures we would give up for a player like this, bring in a veteran backup, and move on. Watching the team thrive with Korpisalo in net the last few weeks makes it brutally obvious to anyone that has ever been around a hockey team: the Bob situation is a distraction, no matter how much they deny it. Korpisalo might not be the answer long-term, but he at least deserves a shot in the immediate future. I say that as one of his biggest critics. A veteran backup/B starter might be able to help us get over the playoff hump this year, and they can reassess in the offseason.
Lastly, go big... the other way.
Should they fail to get a difference maker at the deadline, I think it's time to sell high on Panarin. As it stands, unless the roster gets better, this is, once again, maybe the sixth or seventh best team in the conference. Get some more futures, continue to build around PLD, Jones, Werenski, and the rest of the core, and try again in 2-3 years. Even without Panarin I think they have fallen into enough points that they might still be a playoff team this year.
Maybe consider trading high on Murray also... I may be one of his biggest supporters, but we have some real depth on defense and his injury history might make that an easier decision.
I'd like to weigh in. I've been lurking around a bit since my frustration boiled over in the playoffs (see: insanity)... I have gotten back into the team as they continue to grow. Particularly after getting to see them in Raleigh a few weeks ago. It piqued my interest again.
Go big and buy. Either go out and get a Tarasenko, Mark Stone, Duchene, whatever it may be. Personally I'd be hopeful in that specific order- Tarasenko is a game breaker, even if Panarin walked he would give us a legitimate top line threat. If he gets Panarin to stay, even better. What would it take? No doubt a quality, young piece, plus a little more.
Werenski + Milano + probably a pick. Too rich for your blood? Let me introduce you to plan B.
Mark Stone should intrigue most of us. He's not a game breaking player like Tarasenko or Duchene (more on him to follow), but he is a quality winger that would fit right into our second line, quite nicely. Let's not forget that acquiring Vanek last year, caused Wennberg to figure it out for a time. Stone is a similar player to Vanek, but a huge upgrade as an all-around player. He's a big body that can finish around the net, but may also be the best defensive winger in the entire league. I think he's tremendously underrated and might give us a great fit on the new-look second line. He's a little slow afoot, so picture this lineup with a little speed on the other side:
Panarin-Dubois-Atkinson
Stone-Wennberg-Anderson
Foligno-Jenner-Duclair
Sedlak/Hannikainen-Dubinsky/Nash-Bjorkstrand
The best part about Mark Stone: He's a UFA, so he will likely come cheaper. The Sens are going to be in full rebuild mode, so I don't see why we would give up a core roster piece like we would have to for Tarasenko.
Milano + 1st, or Milano + 2nd + Carlsson, might be enough.
The third player we should be going hard at is Matt Duchene. Contrary to what I've read so much of, I don't really feel like we need to upgrade Wennberg all that much. Let me qualify: I cannot stand watching him play right now either, he's been easily the worst forward on the team for the recent games I've seen. But, let's not forget that just two years ago, he was a 60 point player and centering our top line. We have made the mistake of dealing away quality youth and giving up on them too soon before (see a guy whose name I see a lot on this thread as a potential trade target). I think Wennberg can still be a damn productive player; the size, skill, and speed are all there. They just need to simplify things for him and get him some confidence. It can be fixed.
Duchene would be an amazing addition, but rather than at the expense of Wennberg, we should be thinking in addition to. Like Stone, he should be available for some futures. But, as a center and a higher end talent, he'll be more expensive.
Foudy/Texier + 1st + 3rd + B level prospect. I really think that will be the asking price for this player at the deadline. Ottawa gave up way too much for him.
That's the long-winded version from me. In addition to acquiring one of these players, I think the only thing for this franchise to do is cut ties with Bobrovsky. Recoup some of the futures we would give up for a player like this, bring in a veteran backup, and move on. Watching the team thrive with Korpisalo in net the last few weeks makes it brutally obvious to anyone that has ever been around a hockey team: the Bob situation is a distraction, no matter how much they deny it. Korpisalo might not be the answer long-term, but he at least deserves a shot in the immediate future. I say that as one of his biggest critics. A veteran backup/B starter might be able to help us get over the playoff hump this year, and they can reassess in the offseason.
Lastly, go big... the other way.
Should they fail to get a difference maker at the deadline, I think it's time to sell high on Panarin. As it stands, unless the roster gets better, this is, once again, maybe the sixth or seventh best team in the conference. Get some more futures, continue to build around PLD, Jones, Werenski, and the rest of the core, and try again in 2-3 years. Even without Panarin I think they have fallen into enough points that they might still be a playoff team this year.
Maybe consider trading high on Murray also... I may be one of his biggest supporters, but we have some real depth on defense and his injury history might make that an easier decision.
to the last 2 options.
