Our Achilles Heel

[senility]

As good as we look right now, I can't help but wonder if we have the depth at centre to compete with the stronger teams in our conference come playoff time. True we can play Fisher and Chara against the Forsbergs and Sundins of this world, and I'm sure they could do a decent job, but if either one gets hurt, look out. Besides, teams with several potent scoring lines could really hurt us. With each game that passes, it becomes clearer to me that Bryan Smolinski has no place on this team. The guy simply isn't worthy of scoring line minutes and, unless we can magically transform him into a capable shut down 3rd line centre soon, he has to be moved somehow. The problem is that he probably has a negative trade value with his hefty salary. So, my question is how do we turn him and a combination of depth players (Pothier or Schubert maybe) or mid round draft picks into a 2nd or 3rd line centre that can come in and help this team? I'd love it if Kelly would grow into the shut down role and save us from having to deal valuable assets, but I fear he is just too small to compete with the big guys. My sense is that Muckler is very much aware of the problem and is biding his time for the right deal, but if nothing is done before the playoffs, I'll be very disappointed.

[The Great Below]

Fisher is perfect for the 3rd line center. As for the second line center I am sure Muckler will pick 1 up as we approach the trade deadline. There is no use spending 3 million dollars of cap space now on a 3 million dollar player when you could use that same capspace and get an elite player at 5 million dollars at the deadline. An example would be Doug Weight, let St louis pick up most of his salary and the we can pick him up later on in the season. That just makes sense to me.

[aragorn]

Originally Posted by Fuhr86

Fisher is perfect for the 3rd line center. As for the second line center I am sure Muckler will pick 1 up as we approach the trade deadline. There is no use spending 3 million dollars of cap space now on a 3 million dollar player when you could use that same capspace and get an elite player at 5 million dollars at the deadline. An example would be Doug Weight, let St louis pick up most of his salary and the we can pick him up later on in the season. That just makes sense to me.

Doug weight at the deadline would be a huge asset for this team going into the home stretch but I could also see the Ducks unload Fedorov and we know the connection he has with Murray. If we could afford it now I would like to see Ottawa swap Smolinski and Varada for Fedorov but would the ducks take them.

Vermette - Fedorov - Alfredson - Fedorov or Weight would look good on this line.
Heatley - Spezza - Bochenski - this line plays very well together.
Schaefer - Fisher - Havlat - this line when healthy can also be outstanding.
Neil - Kelly - McGratton - Weimer would look good as our 4th line centre.

[N Bahn Ahden]

No way we take on Federov's contract.

[nneate]

Originally Posted by senility

With each game that passes, it becomes clearer to me that Bryan Smolinski has no place on this team. The guy simply isn't worthy of scoring line minutes and, unless we can magically transform him into a capable shut down 3rd line centre soon, he has to be moved somehow. The problem is that he probably has a negative trade value with his hefty salary.

Smolinski was a very capable shut down 3rd line center when we acquired him from the LA Kings, we don't need to transform him into this, it's just a matter of Murray realizing he is not much more then a shut down center.

I think what it comes down to is whether or not Mike Fisher can be a scoring line center. If he is, then him and Smolinski swap roles, but if he isn't, our lines stay pretty much the same. And I don't think Smolinski has such a hefty salary, how many other players in the league can play all 3 Forward positions, contribute 50-60 points per season all at a cap hit of between 1.5-1.8 mill? ( not 100% sure on this number, havn't been paying attention to the salary, I know his salary goes down next year ) Handzus is the only one I can think of and he would be an amazing upgrade over Smoke, and might also be available.

Smolinski is very useful, especially when Mike Fisher is out with injuries, give him time to get back in shape and to see what Fisher is capable of bringing to this team when he is healthy.

It's too early in the season to really evaluate our Achilles Heel.

[Roy G Biv*]

A defensive prospect + smoke to Buffalo for Chris Drury

[The Mars Volchenkov]

Rod Brind'Amour would be my #1 choice.

[Rico__Persson*]

Johnny Muck has a dooozey up his sleeve I know it. He'll be wearing short sleeves by the trade deadline.

[RTWAP*]

Originally Posted by Senator Stanley

No way we take on Federov's contract.

Does anybody know how long he's contracted for?

He's too expensive for a full season but if he's in the last year of a deal, and we're only picking up part of his salary, it might be doable.

[The Great Below]

Originally Posted by RalfTheWiseNPowerful

Does anybody know how long he's contracted for?

He's too expensive for a full season but if he's in the last year of a deal, and we're only picking up part of his salary, it might be doable.

Fedorovs contract expires in 2008. So I dont think we will be getting him