They need a top-2 defenseman, not a top-6 defenseman. Another Strudwick or even Roszie won't do much for the team. They need a star or semi-star dman to truly help the team.
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Originally Posted by Larry Melnyk
I'm convinced more then ever after watching the Rangers throttle the Flyers last night (to make it 7 in a row against decent competion) that this team needs to make a deal for top-6 D man...Why? Because this team is damn good, has unbelievable chemistry and can play with any team in the east on a a nightly basis and can go very far in the POs.....IF it can hold up for a physical series or a number of physical series....And this is where the need for another NHL ready D-man, preferably one that is pretty physical, comes in.....I know the GAA is great but defenses get pounded in the POs when everybody is at the top of their game,...Plus we are pretty thin at D (although they are doing a great job) but one injury to Kaspar, Malik or Tyutin and we are ****'s creek without a paddle...It's looking like this team ahs a great opportunity this year, so let's make the best of it....
Yeah, I know this means a prospect or two might go, or a young depth player, but I think it's a move you have to make even If I think a favorite of mine (like Hollweg) is a likely candidate to be moved (please make it Hossa instead!)...
And I was under the impression that Witt and Jagr didn't get along in Washington.
I've bought that up myself in the past. Witt made some comments about Jagrs' intensity after Jagr left Washington, but the general concensus from Caps fans and from people who knew the situation was that it was more a situational thing than a real anomosity. I think it was just frustation due to the organizations losing ways.
somebody mentioned it before, but i'll reemphasize...if this team upgrades the d, its most likely going to be strudwick. the replacement should fit the strudwick mold. that player will play alongside tom poti and should play a defensive minded role. carney or weinrich would be okay in my opinion. remember, the grass is always greener...
BINGO.....Carney, Kuba, Mitchell, Salei, Hill, Witt, Cullimopre, O'Donnell, Morriss, Gauthier offer a borgismorg of possibilities......And Who knows, maybe a surprise like Kubina, Jackman or others...Or maybe a team wants Weekes bad enough to give up a solid D-man (yes, we would have to get a goalie elsewhere)....And who knows about some deals driven purely by money.....SHould be interesting ....Alot different then the last trading deadline, no?
I like this list. All we need is one of them. Newsday has us looking also at Klee and Havelid.
I keep Weekes around for the playoffs. He's got playoff experience (been to the finals) and will help Lundy on the bench. Also, he's capable insurance should Lundy get hurt for a few games. I move him next year/over the summer to make room for Montoya.
The Wild are 11th in the West right now, 7 points out of a playoff spot and 0-3 on west coast swing. Lots in the paper here that they are trying to sign Willie Mitchell (who is having a very good year) and it seems likely he will be off the market shortly. His agent made it sound like a deal was more probable than not. That would leave Filip Kuba unsigned, available and Czech. I still think it's him or Weinrich. Klee and Havelid just don't make as much sense and I can't see the Rangers spending what would be necessary to acquire Witt (which I am allright with)
I think it will be sellers market. After March 9 there's plenty of hockey left, especially with all inconsistent (Pho, Tor, Bos, Mon for example) teams that go on streaks of wins and losses. There are literally 5 teams that are out of playoffs - Pitt, Wash, StL, Chi, Clm. Everybody else is within the striking position of the 8th berth in their respective conferences. I don't know if teams like Florida or Phoenix or Minnesota will throw a white flag and start a firesale. I believe it's unlikely, but an industry insider will know better. So, yeah, I think that a team looking to upgrade will have to overpay.
Chances are that Fla will add itself to the 5 outsiders and move its players, but it's up to Keenan to make that decision. Toronto is in a freefall and if they're not going to win Tuesday's game against Montreal, who knows, they could start a firesale also.
Below is the list of defensemen who can be an upgrade over Struds (I've accepted Larry Melnik's chemical theory and do believe that Pock and Purinton is not really depth):
Fla - Sean Hill
Tor - Klee (too slow?); Khavanov (?)
Clm - Richardson, Berard?
Chi - Simpson, Cullimore?
StL - Weinrich (39 y.o.!)
Pitt - Cross (I actually liked him - he reminded me of Malik - not flashy, good 1st pass)
Wsh - Heward ?; Muir?
Would these defensemen be un upgrade over Struds or provide better depth than what we have now?
Part of me wants them to get a Dman who can QB the PP. Part of me says, why bother? With the way the forwards work, maybe they do not need it. I read somewhere that Maloney said in an interview last night that they are looking at dmen, but will not mortgage the future to get one. Music to my ears.
I want Brent Seabrook from Chicago. If we are going to acquire a Dman lets get a young, tough, mobile #1 anchor for our D for years. A combo of Montoya, Jessiman, Prucha, #1, Dawes, Pock, might get job done. I am trying to keep Staal out, but their first response, if they even contemplate trading Seabrook would be Staal. Even than I would think very hard and than include Staal.
I want Brent Seabrook from Chicago. If we are going to acquire a Dman lets get a young, tough, mobile #1 anchor for our D for years. A combo of Montoya, Jessiman, Prucha, #1, Dawes, Pock, might get job done. I am trying to keep Staal out, but their first response, if they even contemplate trading Seabrook would be Staal. Even than I would think very hard and than include Staal.
I'd definitely get Cory Cross. I forgot he was traded to Pittsburgh. He had a solid run with us when he was paired with Kaspar, fits the bill as the 6th d-man, AND could be gotten really cheaply. I'd also add Salei to my list of Carney, Gauthier, Kuba who'll be much more expensive to trade for - and Jonsson who probably isn't available this season. He probably would have to pass through waivers to play on our team much like how Rachunek would have to to play with us this season. That seems like a dumb rule.
