Quote:
Originally Posted by DAChampion
I don't support getting rid of all the vets -- I just said in the post you quoted that would turn us into Columbus !!! I support getting rid of some of the vets. It depends on the relative trade values, relative cap space values, positional depth, etc.
We're going to have to do it anyway moving forward as we have a lot of good youth in the system that will soon challenge for spots. I don't see any young player challenging this year, but for the 2013-2014 season we could have as many as 2 or 3 of: Galchenyuk, Gallagher, Leblanc, Beaulieu, Tinordi, Ellis, getting roster spots at the start of the season. A plausible outcome is clear out 3 vets, sign one top-tier UFA next summer, and bring in 2 rookies next year.
Regarding UFA, I support swinging for the fences. If you can't get a great player, keep the cap space and try again next year rather than signing a mediocre player to an expensive long-term contract. I don't believe that no great UFA would ever come to Montreal. We got 1st pairing dman Roman Hamrlik. We got Michael Cammalleri and Erik Cole, two guys that are 1st liners on several teams in the league and 2nd liners on the rest.
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You don't get to know if we make the playoffs until the deadline, at the very least. Of course ship Bourque away if we're out. But we have a better team you think. Who will be on the rebound.
About the prospects, it's inevitable, they'll make the AHL-NHL shuffle to replace injuried players. That's what I'm talking about when I say that we should bring them in a winning attitude.
You said since Bergevin didn't sign Semin you wish we tank. Bergevin is keeping his options open. His strategy will be called "improving the team". One move at the time.
Of course if we're last at the deadline you trade a bunch of vets, but really, you have to be a born pessimist to think it's a certainty.
All our returning players are hungry. We have a bunch of vets back. Galchenyuk might make the team. Etc. Etc.