Oilhawks
Oden's Ride Over Nordland
- Nov 24, 2011
- 26,296
- 45,324
Regardless of how the rest of the season goes, Chiarelli is likely gone (good riddance) barring a miracle run to the playoffs and a first round win. Hitchcock will be doing what he can to get as many wins together and to see what he can get from individual players. Even with a front office purge I'd like to see him kept on as an adviser of sorts if he's willing. One of the few people in the org with any sense for hockey.
With that in mind, who do you think is worth keeping and who is worth trading? I'm organizing it according to priority, and some things to keep in mind is player performance relative to expectations (it's silly to think that all of the bottom 6 forwards and bottom pairing D need to be upgraded IMO).
Keep:
Forwards:
McDavid
Draisaitl
Nugent-Hopkins - has come a long way now that he's playing looser. Well worth the 6 million IMO.
Reider - probably the only "true" third line talent we have (left) that can also do spot duty in the top 6. PKs well, seems to be good at puck retrieval, good play-making
Caggiula - Has played very well this year after a down year last year. Looked good in the playoffs particularly for his first pro year IMO.
Defense:
One of Klefbom or Larsson: Not sure which of the two I would keep. An argument could be made for either depending on who is coming in. One should be traded with + to get an upgrade top 4 D (or top 6 forward)
Russell: I know a lot of people still don't like him (and his contract) but he's been one of the more consistent D since signing here. He's good enough to be a #4 and having him on the bottom pairing easing in one of the rookies would be ideal. I also don't think it will be worth trading him for what we get back. There are harder contracts to move that need to go (Sekera, Lucic).
Bouchard: Will be a top 4 D, no mistake. Likely will be a #2 at worst in his prime. One of the most valuable players we have at this point
Goalie:
Koskinen: Playing very well despite poor team defense. His body of work outside of the NHL confirms his value. I'd try to re-sign him right away to the Talbot contract or something like that.
Maybe:
Nurse: Personally, I would try and move him with a + for a team looking for a change. He still holds value and will likely be a top 4 D but we need more offensively skilled D. Could be one of the better pieces to move to get something valuable back.
Chiasson: Yes, he's not consistent, which is why he signed a PTO. Let's see how he does the rest of the year, and if he'll sign a reasonable extension for 2 years, I'd jump at it. Been one of the better forwards this year, all around. Gulutzan rocks for this suggestion alone.
Jesse Puljujarvi: I'm on the fence. I think he's been jerked around a bit and not given a completely fair shake, but he also has to do something with limited minutes as well (look at Chiasson...yes, I know he's a vet). I'd quietly ask around to see what can be returned. I'm also worried about him breaking out on a better team.
Yamamoto: I'd like to see how he does the rest of the year on the farm team and give him a shot next year in the bigs, but I'd also keep offers open.
Brodziak: Our most consistent bottom 6 guy. Yes, hes old. But his veteran presence is worth it and he still shows flashes of skill with a work ethic that rubs off on other teammates. Not going to find anyone better for 4th line C next year for the price IMO. Maybe a guy from Bakersfield.
Gravel: I'd like to keep him as insurance if he'll sign for cheap. IMO the best 7D we've had in a long while.
Bear, Jones, Lagesson, Hebig, Marody, Benson et al in the Bake.: All promising, and probably not worth what you'd get back. I'd consider using them as a plus to get someone more established (but would be very adamant against trading Jones and Benson unless the return was undeniably better).
Move on from:
Sekera or Lucic: One of these two has to go next year. I would lean towards Sekera because the dollars are close and IMO Lucic can actually still bring some value to team play in the bottom 6. Unfortunate that Seks is probably done as an NHLer from the injuries. I don't think both can be offloaded next year without gutting the team further.
One of Klefbom or Larsson: See above. Need an upgrade on one of them. I think they have value around the league.
Talbot: He's done here. I think he might do okay as a backup somewhere but he's also hitting that age where he might be done in general. We NEED a proven backup next year.
Spooner: Didn't like this trade when it happened, and I'm not really a fan of Strome. At least he could tread water as a 3C. See if his value can be increased this year and move on from him for a pick.
Benning: Inconsistent, and while the stats show he is a decent bottom pair, we have guys on the farm that I think will be more consistent (and make less). I'd only keep him if we can keep him on the bottom pair and one of the guys from Bakersfield pairs well with him (which we need to find out this year when we're officially out of the race or before).
Khaira: He has flashes of great play but floats too much and is a dime a dozen player IMO. Any of the top 6 in Bakersfield would be an upgrade on him next year, IMO. I'd let him walk at the end of the year.
Kassian: Keep him if Lucic goes or if you can't find a better replacement. He's overpaid for what he brings but if the coach can keep him engaged his physical presence and speed is valuable.
Rattie: I do think he has potential given what we've seen but I don't see him getting a fair shake with Hitchcock and honestly we can do better. Maybe keep him as a cheaper winger in the top 6 (he's definitely better than Spooner IMO)
Wideman: Meh. I think one of the offensive D rookies will do better than him next year. Let him walk.
Garrison: He's definitely not coming back next year. Will likely retire.
Thoughts? Anyone I missed?
With that in mind, who do you think is worth keeping and who is worth trading? I'm organizing it according to priority, and some things to keep in mind is player performance relative to expectations (it's silly to think that all of the bottom 6 forwards and bottom pairing D need to be upgraded IMO).
Keep:
Forwards:
McDavid
Draisaitl
Nugent-Hopkins - has come a long way now that he's playing looser. Well worth the 6 million IMO.
Reider - probably the only "true" third line talent we have (left) that can also do spot duty in the top 6. PKs well, seems to be good at puck retrieval, good play-making
Caggiula - Has played very well this year after a down year last year. Looked good in the playoffs particularly for his first pro year IMO.
Defense:
One of Klefbom or Larsson: Not sure which of the two I would keep. An argument could be made for either depending on who is coming in. One should be traded with + to get an upgrade top 4 D (or top 6 forward)
Russell: I know a lot of people still don't like him (and his contract) but he's been one of the more consistent D since signing here. He's good enough to be a #4 and having him on the bottom pairing easing in one of the rookies would be ideal. I also don't think it will be worth trading him for what we get back. There are harder contracts to move that need to go (Sekera, Lucic).
Bouchard: Will be a top 4 D, no mistake. Likely will be a #2 at worst in his prime. One of the most valuable players we have at this point
Goalie:
Koskinen: Playing very well despite poor team defense. His body of work outside of the NHL confirms his value. I'd try to re-sign him right away to the Talbot contract or something like that.
Maybe:
Nurse: Personally, I would try and move him with a + for a team looking for a change. He still holds value and will likely be a top 4 D but we need more offensively skilled D. Could be one of the better pieces to move to get something valuable back.
Chiasson: Yes, he's not consistent, which is why he signed a PTO. Let's see how he does the rest of the year, and if he'll sign a reasonable extension for 2 years, I'd jump at it. Been one of the better forwards this year, all around. Gulutzan rocks for this suggestion alone.
Jesse Puljujarvi: I'm on the fence. I think he's been jerked around a bit and not given a completely fair shake, but he also has to do something with limited minutes as well (look at Chiasson...yes, I know he's a vet). I'd quietly ask around to see what can be returned. I'm also worried about him breaking out on a better team.
Yamamoto: I'd like to see how he does the rest of the year on the farm team and give him a shot next year in the bigs, but I'd also keep offers open.
Brodziak: Our most consistent bottom 6 guy. Yes, hes old. But his veteran presence is worth it and he still shows flashes of skill with a work ethic that rubs off on other teammates. Not going to find anyone better for 4th line C next year for the price IMO. Maybe a guy from Bakersfield.
Gravel: I'd like to keep him as insurance if he'll sign for cheap. IMO the best 7D we've had in a long while.
Bear, Jones, Lagesson, Hebig, Marody, Benson et al in the Bake.: All promising, and probably not worth what you'd get back. I'd consider using them as a plus to get someone more established (but would be very adamant against trading Jones and Benson unless the return was undeniably better).
Move on from:
Sekera or Lucic: One of these two has to go next year. I would lean towards Sekera because the dollars are close and IMO Lucic can actually still bring some value to team play in the bottom 6. Unfortunate that Seks is probably done as an NHLer from the injuries. I don't think both can be offloaded next year without gutting the team further.
One of Klefbom or Larsson: See above. Need an upgrade on one of them. I think they have value around the league.
Talbot: He's done here. I think he might do okay as a backup somewhere but he's also hitting that age where he might be done in general. We NEED a proven backup next year.
Spooner: Didn't like this trade when it happened, and I'm not really a fan of Strome. At least he could tread water as a 3C. See if his value can be increased this year and move on from him for a pick.
Benning: Inconsistent, and while the stats show he is a decent bottom pair, we have guys on the farm that I think will be more consistent (and make less). I'd only keep him if we can keep him on the bottom pair and one of the guys from Bakersfield pairs well with him (which we need to find out this year when we're officially out of the race or before).
Khaira: He has flashes of great play but floats too much and is a dime a dozen player IMO. Any of the top 6 in Bakersfield would be an upgrade on him next year, IMO. I'd let him walk at the end of the year.
Kassian: Keep him if Lucic goes or if you can't find a better replacement. He's overpaid for what he brings but if the coach can keep him engaged his physical presence and speed is valuable.
Rattie: I do think he has potential given what we've seen but I don't see him getting a fair shake with Hitchcock and honestly we can do better. Maybe keep him as a cheaper winger in the top 6 (he's definitely better than Spooner IMO)
Wideman: Meh. I think one of the offensive D rookies will do better than him next year. Let him walk.
Garrison: He's definitely not coming back next year. Will likely retire.
Thoughts? Anyone I missed?
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