Quote:
Originally Posted by Drop the Sopel
I don't mind a quantity for quality deal, but the Canucks must add size if that's the route they're going.
To Tor- Luongo, Raymond
To Van- Kulemin, Finn, Frattin, Connolly
Sedin Sedin Burrows
Booth Kesler Higgins
Kulemin Connolly Hansen
Frattin Lapierre Kassian
More size on the wings and some much needed playmaking for the 2nd PP unit.
Gives Gillis a young dman to dangle to bring in an impact player for the 2nd line. Should be doable, especially if his 1st rd pick is on the table as well.
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I get the rationale behind including Kulemin as part of a deal - his size, defense, ES production and skating - but does the Russian factor come into play if we're considering him, since this is Gillis we're talking about here? Or does that only apply to drafting?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drop the Sopel
You have to look at what type of minutes our 3rd line centre will see when determining who is of more use, Connolly or Bozak. Kesler being on the 1st PP unit means we need our 3rd line centre to carry the 2nd PP unit - this is a role Connolly has filled in the past, one in which Bozak just can't. The Canucks also have Kesler, Lapierre and Malhotra to utilize in defensive situations - they don't need the 3rd line to play shutdown minutes and would be better served using that trio to help chip in offense IMO - another area Connolly would likely be more reliable than Bozak.
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I'm not so sure that the Canucks will be trying Kesler in his old shutdown-first role again, given the type of centre they've chosen to go with in that spot in the past (Malhotra, Pahlsson). Then again since Kesler is on the top PP unit with the Twins you want your 3C to be able to centre the 2nd unit, for however few minutes that's left for them to work with.
Of course, everything could have been so much better had we traded for Vermette instead of Pahlsson IMO. As he can score and play a two-way game.