**** yah! Hopefully young Horak can keep it up and stick with the big club as well.
The way I see it we go with Horak or Stajan. Horak is the better fit but I don't know if having Stajan sent down would be good press or bad CAP management (3 years left). I think we have to keep him and give him a bit of a chance to put up 35 ish points and then maybe someone will take him for 2.5 after the season.
Great! Sutter has a nice sport for him right between TK and Jackman
ugh.... likely the first game he will be eased back in. I am fascinated if Horak, Olli and Backlund are all fighting for positions. Olli has been money so far this season as has Horak.
I don't follow, none of those three guys are fighting for the same position. Olli is entrenched on the 2nd line, Backlund is destined for the 1st line, Horak is wandering somewhere between the 3rd line and the AHL depending on if he can keep up the good work.
Horak has to stay up, he has been too good and I think the coaching staff realizes this. There has to be a trade in the works, I simply do not see any other way around it. I think Kosto, Moss or Bourque are all those most likely to get dealt. I think Kosto is the most probable to go, probably for a 5th round pick. Of course this could all vary depending on the significance of the deal Feaster has up his sleeves.
Horak has to stay up, he has been too good and I think the coaching staff realizes this. There has to be a trade in the works, I simply do not see any other way around it. I think Kosto, Moss or Bourque are all those most likely to get dealt. I think Kosto is the most probable to go, probably for a 5th round pick. Of course this could all vary depending on the significance of the deal Feaster has up his sleeves.
I think Hagman and Bourque go and when Backlund returns I think Morrison will move to the wing.
I think Hagman and Bourque go and when Backlund returns I think Morrison will move to the wing.
Looking at the projected lineup will us a better idea.
Tangs-Backlund-Iggy
Moss-Jokinen-Glencross
Stempniak-BMO-player x
player x-Horak-Jackman
I would say the listed players are all pretty safe bets to say and that they will not be moved (except for maybe Moss, but I included him to his chemistry on his line). Based on this lineup, we have 4 extra players to fill two spots in Bouque, Hagman, Kosto and Stajan. I'm not sure that either Stajan or Hagman could be traded (or else I'd venture to say that they would already be gone). So I think either Bouque, Moss or Kosto are gonzo. Maybe even Bouque and Moss in the same deal. Giving us a lineup like this.
This isn't even considering whoever we get in return (Kyle *cough* Turris). But I think if you look at the lineups, someone has to be moved out unless Stajan gets sent down the AHL.
Looking at the projected lineup will us a better idea.
Tangs-Backlund-Iggy
Moss-Jokinen-Glencross
Stempniak-BMO-player x
player x-Horak-Jackman
I would say the listed players are all pretty safe bets to say and that they will not be moved (except for maybe Moss, but I included him to his chemistry on his line). Based on this lineup, we have 4 extra players to fill two spots in Bouque, Hagman, Kosto and Stajan. I'm not sure that either Stajan or Hagman could be traded (or else I'd venture to say that they would already be gone). So I think either Bouque, Moss or Kosto are gonzo. Maybe even Bouque and Moss in the same deal. Giving us a lineup like this.
This isn't even considering whoever we get in return (Kyle *cough* Turris). But I think if you look at the lineups, someone has to be moved out unless Stajan gets sent down the AHL.
I don't think Stajan will be demoted because I don't believe the ownership group wants millions of dollars in the AHL when we aren't a playoff team and have available cap space
I'm not too sure why Sutter isn't playing Stajan though, but its definitely not based on how he has played, so far this season Stajan has been fairly solid. He was generating chances and making solid defensive plays.
Then again if how guys were playing really determined the lineup then Moss would be the one in the pressbox IMO, because he has been utterly useless so far this season. He has no business in the top 6 right now and its sad our coach is too stupid to see that.
As for who and why I see them being moved:
I think we should move Bourque because he will fetch us the best return and I think with Moss & Stempniak he is not needed on the right side. I would deal Bourque in a move to help our future, ideally for a 1st and a good prospect (on the trade board Bruins fans seemed to be on board with a 1st and one of Caron or Sauve).
I think Hagman needs to go, mostly because I feel he has no place on this club anymore. I'd try and trade him for anything, even if its just a 7th, if he can't be moved because of his contract I would waive him and if he clears put him on re-entry waiver, I think for 1.5 million for just this season you will see someone pick up Hagman.
I am also more than willing to move Kostopoulos, but if he goes I think we keep Hagman.
That would leave a forward group like this.
Tanguay / Backlund / Iginla
Glencross / Jokinen / **Stempniak
Morrison / Horak / **Moss
Kostopoulos (or Hagman) / Stajan / Jackman
-** Moss/Stempniak could be flip-flopped based on how they are playing
I am also not against keeping everyone and just demoting Horak until more injuries come, because they will.
Horak has to stay up with the big club. He's been arguably the team's 2nd-best centre behind Jokinen. His all-around game and creativity are things this team desperately needs.
Stajan doesn't deserve to play. He doesn't offer much to the club right now other than faceoffs. While Horak hasn't been great in the faceoff circle, he kills penalties and is a huge upgrade offensively.
Morrison is also back and he's good in the dot. He can be the team's "specialist" if need be.
Horak has to stay up with the big club. He's been arguably the team's 2nd-best centre behind Jokinen. His all-around game and creativity are things this team desperately needs.
Stajan doesn't deserve to play. He doesn't offer much to the club right now other than faceoffs. While Horak hasn't been great in the faceoff circle, he kills penalties and is a huge upgrade offensively.
Morrison is also back and he's good in the dot. He can be the team's "specialist" if need be.
That's three good scoring lines and a solid grinding line.
Stajan kills penalties too, in fact he was excellent on the PK against the Penguins, then for some god forsaken reason Butter stopped using him after that game on the PK when he was one of the few that wasn't on the ice for a PP Goal against.
Stajan is solid defensively, he also was creating a ton of chances that his linemates couldn't bury. Then of course there is the faceoffs.
Stajan kills penalties too, in fact he was excellent on the PK against the Penguins, then for some god forsaken reason Butter stopped using him after that game on the PK when he was one of the few that wasn't on the ice for a PP Goal against.
Stajan is solid defensively, he also was creating a ton of chances that his linemates couldn't bury. Then of course there is the faceoffs.
Horak does more for the team right now, he's younger, and he's a much higher upside. He's easily outplayed Stajan so far, so why demote Horak at the expensive of playing a low-skilled, overpaid veteran? It makes no sense.
He needs to be moved off of this team somehow, someway. I think we can trade him, but we would need to take some salary back. Maybe we can trade him to Dallas for Pardy.
Horak does more for the team right now, he's younger, and he's a much higher upside. He's easily outplayed Stajan so far, so why demote Horak at the expensive of playing a low-skilled, overpaid veteran? It makes no sense.
I never suggested demoting Horak. If you read up a few posts I have him as a 3rd line center and Stajan as the 4th. I also suggested in the GDT that maybe we could play Horak and Stajan together on the 4th line. I am also suggesting moving Bourque (because he will get a good return) and one of Hagman or Kostopolous
I never suggested demoting Horak. If you read up a few posts I have him as a 3rd line center and Stajan as the 4th. I also suggested in the GDT that maybe we could play Horak and Stajan together on the 4th line. I am also suggesting moving Bourque (because he will get a good return) and one of Hagman or Kostopolous
If Bourque is moved and the team doesn't acquire a forward in return, then Stajan likely moves into the lineup. But since Bourque is still with the team (and I expect him to remain a Flame for a little longer), the lines I posted address the current situation with a healthy Backlund, which means Stajan remains a healthy scratch.
He needs to be moved off of this team somehow, someway. I think we can trade him, but we would need to take some salary back. Maybe we can trade him to Dallas for Pardy.
