If we draft grigerenko, and sign a UFA like parise, then get tinordi and/ or beaulieu up. PK with another year under his belt and now able to play a more offensive role because of the return of markov, and not to mention the return of our captain, who's been our leading scorer the last 2 years, as well as plekanec and bourque playing up to their potential, and maybe a bottom six forward or two. some 10-15 goal scorers who are big and rough. and all our young guys, desharnais, leblanc, eller, patches, maturing even more. We could have a team that turns it around, just like that. (finger snap) chin up folks
Im with you on this one. OP has a lot of stuff wrong with his post, but I do thing if ALOT went right the core we have plus a few added pieces could make us contenders.
You know ... all the fuss around the experience on the Dline.
What does Grigorenko brings? 30 points ? Where is he playing ? 4th line center?
We have Eller, Plekanec and Desharnais before him.
Parise ? #LOLWHUT
Im with you on this one. OP has a lot of stuff wrong with his post, but I do thing if ALOT went right the core we have plus a few added pieces could make us contenders.
I have now concluded that OP most likely mean original poster. I don't understand though. You agree that we could be contenders but the reasons i've stated are wrong? What are your pieces that make us contenders?
It's reasonable to say we can be back in the playoffs next year. But Cup contenders? No. There are so many "If"s in the OP it makes the 6/49 look like a wise investment strategy.
Sure we could, technically. Columbus also could, technically.
Realistically though, we don't even know who our coach will be and if our current GM will still be here. So, we're a long way from talking about being Cup contenders.
Let's start with fixing management.
Draft Grigo, trade Kaberle + 1st for Radulov's rights to Nashville. Bring up Beaulieu and Kristo, bring a maximum of youngsters up the AHL to maximize depth.
#1. The way we're playing now and the teams around us. We're gonna draft out of the top-5 and likely pick nothing of supreme consequence. Meaning no blue-chip prospect and maybe a nice player down the line.
#2. The state of our management, media, fanbase, the current transactions, the coaching debacle this season, Gauthier as head GM, and our position in the standings are all indicators that we are not an attractive nor viable option for any big name free agent. I.E., we will not sign anything more than maybe a missing piece, but no superstar and no big name free agent.
#3. Very rare do teams go from the basement to cup contenders over the course of one summer. This team certainly isn't blossoming with tons of young talent that are scraping the surface, what young talent we have has already arrived this season. It's just surrounded by junk.
#4. As it stands right now, Gauthier will be our GM. Meaning mindless moves. Undervalue trades. Panic moves that are needed to save his job. Plus patchwork trades to fill holes everybody and their dog knows need to be addressed before the season begins.
#5. The injury bug. We've had it for the last few seasons. Look for it to strike again.
I have now concluded that OP most likely mean original poster. I don't understand though. You agree that we could be contenders but the reasons i've stated are wrong? What are your pieces that make us contenders?
1. Price having a fantastic year
2. Patches, Cole have another great year
3. Add some grit to the blue line
4. Markov plays all 82 games at a high level
5. Subban has a phenomenal year
6. We get a real 1C in the draft and trade away 1 of Eller or DD to free up a spot for him and by doing that build up assets from what we traded DD/Eller for (For the record, I want Eller to stay, love the kid)
7. We add some more scoring depth and toughness out front. Really like what Staubitz has done for our team.
8. We clearly need better management...A good head coach and GM would be a great step towards helping the franchise.
It's reasonable to say we can be back in the playoffs next year. But Cup contenders? No. There are so many "If"s in the OP it makes the 6/49 look like a wise investment strategy.
We have plenty of work to do still, not sure we are there yet. It starts with management, all depends what Molson does and who he hires. And if he keeps Mickey and Minnie Mouse in charge (Pierre and Bob) we ain't going nowhere
If I remember, ou 5 on 5 differential this year is actually pretty good. The only thing that really hurt us was a disastrous PP.
The team won't be that different next year. A few less deadweights (Gomez, Camellari), a few more youngsters (Leblanc), and Markov back.
If we draft high, it might really make a difference for the next 10 years. We should really keep trying to trade for favorable draft picks like the one that gave us Patch.
chin up folks
