I might be in the minority here with this, but I am ok with the top 6 as it is, mostly because of the stuff mentioned over and over, as in coaching, the trades made last year that didn't help, etc.
I think this team needs to cut the fat instead of adding to it. Orpik being moved so Despres can be up is one, having Gibbons and Megna in over Kobasew and Adams is another.
And yes, I am a big time homer for Gibbons, I love how people crush on college kids others sign, but we have one that is doing well and he's not good enough for whatever reason.
This team is better off targeting some decent UFA's in the off season when vacancies are more certain.
I pretty much agree with your entire sentiment. And moving Orpik for a young guy like Despres or Bortuzzo to step in wouldn't just improve our line up and give those young guys experience; trading him would also bring back significant assets that would make our team a lot better long term.
The other thing is: we haven't seen this team (even sans Dupuis) otherwise completely healthy. I think a healthy Bennett and Megna are going to significantly help with our team.
There's just one issue that really complicate things:
The injury to Dupuis changed things. No, he is not the long-term answer to Sid's winger issue. But I believe if he didn't get injured, that would not be our team's biggest problem. But because he's not healthy, it's causing the Pens to consider a course of action they may not otherwise be considering (trading for a guy like Vanek, rather than waiting till the summer and look at the UFA crop).
If we had Dupuis + Bennett + Megna all healthy and contributing, our forward group could be one of the better ones we've had in a long time. It would push all those other guys (Kobasew, Pyatt, etc.) out of the line up, and keep Vitale and Gladams where they belong: on the 4th line, not the 3rd line. I fear that Dupuis injury might cause Shero to make a dumb decision.
Take Staal off that line and it is still worlds better than what we have now. Worst bottom 6 in the league right now, and trickle down wingers aren't going to fix it.
McGinn is a great start for the third line. Setoguchi even. Get Talbot as a throw in with McGinn for the 4th line. Let Bennett play with Sid. Depth.
I appreciate your sentiment, but I don't think you realize just how much it's going to cost us to get one, let alone two, players at the deadline when prices sky-rocket. And Talbot is not a throw in. COL traded a very productive player for them in Downie to get Talbot. They obviously want his leadership/experience he can bring to that young team, so even he wouldn't be cheap at the deadline.
I'm sorry, but I don't want to give up Despres for McGinn, or McGinn + Talbot. With a healthy line up, I don't believe Talbot is a significant upgrade. McGinn is a nice player, but I wouldn't want to move a valuable asset in Despres for him. I think we could do better for Despres, and/or would rather package Despres with our 1st rounder and get a higher-category of player than McGinn.
Like I've said: I don't think we need to add a 3rd liner to our team -- no matter how good guys like McGinn or Steve Ott are. I believe we need a legit top line RW for Crosby's line, which will automatically push Dupuis down to the 3rd line with Sutter and Megna going forward for the next few seasons. That is the smart play. It kills 2 birds with one stone, and it would more significantly improve our team than just trading for a 3rd liner. And if we traded for both seperately, we would find ourselves sapped of MANY assets, which we cannot do after what happened last year and not having our 2nd rounder already for this season.
I was trying to think of all the teams that are looking for top 6 wingers, besides LA and pgh what other teams have we heard looking for top 6 wingers?
Well, according to the TSN panel, they say there are "double-digit" teams calling about Moulson, and even more calling about Ott. That's going to drive the asking prices a lot higher, and I don't want to get into a bidding war over rentals.
That was pure gold, Jerry!
