If there's 1 team that I can think of that would want Martin and can afford the cap hit, it would be Nashville. I recall Shero having a deal in place with Nashville involving Martin at the draft should he have needed the cap space, and should Nashville have not been able to resign Suter.
I'm not saying that Martin will be able to replace Suter fully but Im sure he'd play well with Weber.
If there's 1 team that I can think of that would want Martin and can afford the cap hit, it would be Nashville. I recall Shero having a deal in place with Nashville involving Martin at the draft should he have needed the cap space, and should Nashville have not been able to resign Suter.
I'm not saying that Martin will be able to replace Suter fully but Im sure he'd play well with Weber.
Shero and Poile talked a lot at the draft around the same time as they talked to Phoenix about Michalek. After talking to both GM's Shero apparently huddled up with his staff and coaches and they made the decision to move Michalek. I'm guessing they had an offer for both Michalek and Martin and the meeting with the coaches and staff was about making a decision on which to move. They obviously chose Michalek.
If there's 1 team that I can think of that would want Martin and can afford the cap hit, it would be Nashville. I recall Shero having a deal in place with Nashville involving Martin at the draft should he have needed the cap space, and should Nashville have not been able to resign Suter.
I'm not saying that Martin will be able to replace Suter fully but Im sure he'd play well with Weber.
I'm guessing the price Shero would expect in return for Martin has risen substantially since the draft.
I think he's gone less headless chicken and in such, isn't as effective. We shall see when he goes pro if he can translate or if he'll always be injured, which I suspect.
Yeah, we'll see. I was just kind of hoping he'd be our Brendan Gallagher or Johnny Gaudreau or Vincent Trochek (ie. mid to late round pick that started tearing it up). Instead he's looking more like what 90% of middle round picks look like: a longshot that doesn't even look like a 1st liner in junior currently, let alone at the next level.
Yeah, and especially when Morrow wasn't even consistent defensively in the WHL. Hopefully he's getting comfortable with the move to pro and a new system, and he can continue to improve and get more ice time.
You are not going to see wholesale change of the defense like you are proposing. Why would we trade, say, Engelland, who is signed near league minimum, has been one of our best & most consistent defensemen over the last 2 years, and is also our toughest guys.
Second, Morrow will not be ready to make the jump to the NHL next season, especially with all the other guys we have here. Perhaps come his 3rd pro season, Morrow may make a push, or he may play a full 3 years in WBS. But the guy who will really be knocking on the door to take a spot vacated by Orpik or Martin will be Dumoulin. His game right now is more complete and he is more NHL ready than Morrow, and perhaps even Despres.
Finally, don't count out the (high) possibility that you are going to see a trade made to land a winger. The guy going the other way could very well be Despres, or even Morrow. If we end up trading one of our vets instead of our prospects, then that won't happen this season, and more likely to happen in the off-season or at the draft.
I don't see Martin or Orpik going anywhere this season, but I'm not sure we can NOT move one of them in the off-season. Unless we end up trading a young Dman (i.e. Despres) for a young winger who is not yet making a big salary, I don't see us having the cap space to sign/trade for a winger for Sid without shedding one of Orpik or Martin. They are both playing well now and it may be great to keep them both, but the closer each of them gets to UFA status (Orpik expiring a year sooner), the lower their trade value will be. We have to balance cap issues and asset management.
The only way I don't see a trade/big UFA signing is if we complete go from within (i.e. Bennett and/or Megna), or current roster guys like Jeffrey/Boychuk in the top-6, and then going with the rest of the current crew (Duper, TK, Cooke). I'm not sure this is the best case scenario. I would like to see us get one legit winger to play with Crosby and (hopefully) Bennet for next season.
I think a dman does need to go either at the deadline or in the offseason. The problem is what type? (experienced or youth) The Pens are in the win the Cup mode each year so it is hard to want to let go of a productive vet to take a chance on giving someone like Despres 20+ minutes a game. If the Pens brass feels Despres could handle those minutes without any decrease in play from the dman he is replacing and Bortuzzo could slip in the #6 spot and be productive with the 12 minutes that gets you a night then maybe you see if someone like Niskanen, Martin, or Orpik can bring you the winger type you want for the top 6.
The other option is trading a young dman like Despres or Bortuzzo for a young winger that is 21-23 that can be a 20+ goal top 6 for us. With those two playing games now and both being young with top 4 potential in my opinion I would think several teams might be interested in getting one of them for a young winger. Dmen have much more value than wingers as we saw when we got Neal for Gogo. If a team believes Despres can be a top 4 dman for them for the next 10 years they would easily be willing to give up a winger that has put up 20+ goals. It really comes down to how another organization believes in the players future development. I was never a big Gogo fan and I knew that trade was a steal from the start. Even if Neal would of stayed a 20+ goal winger it still would of been a good deal. To me Despres has much more potential than Gogo and has shown more at the same age than him and has the size to be a true top 4 and could even develop into a top pairing dmen in a few years.
So do the Pens trade the Vet or the young dman for a winger? I believe Dumoulin will be ready next season for a top 6 spot and someone like Harrington could just force himself into the top 6 next season sometime during the season. Over the next 2-3 years other dmen will be knocking on the door.
A dman for winger deal makes too much sense. The question I present to you is should the Pens trade a vet like Niskanen, Martin, or Orpik or one of our young D prospects like Despres, Bortuzzo, or other D prospect?
If Niskanen could bring in a top two line winger in the 21-26 year old range then that would be my choice. I like him better than Gogo but I think Despres can fill his shoes and Bortuzzo could be the #6. If another team see's him as a fixture in their second pairing then he could bring in the 20+ goal winger we are looking for. I never thought in a million years we could get Neal for Gogo so maybe Niskanen can bring in someone in the same logjam at a wing position. Martin I would trade in the offseason because it would be a risk trading a player that is playing 25 minutes a game because that is a lot of minutes to fill. If the deal made sense then I am open but for a team trying to win a Cup losing one of your top 2 minute eaters is a risk.
I have a feeling we are fairly close to having a trade... our defence is already is playing fairly soldi and thats not even counting niskanen. Borts and elmer are playing great and have done anything bad to warrant being taken out of the lineup. I dont think even bylsma wants to seperate elmer and tango so perhaphs borts is scrathed a few games and niskanen plays instead? By doing this it takes niskanens value bac to what it was before injury and perhaphs more allowing for us to get a great return..
I have a feeling we are fairly close to having a trade... our defence is already is playing fairly soldi and thats not even counting niskanen. Borts and elmer are playing great and have done anything bad to warrant being taken out of the lineup. I dont think even bylsma wants to seperate elmer and tango so perhaphs borts is scrathed a few games and niskanen plays instead? By doing this it takes niskanens value bac to what it was before injury and perhaphs more allowing for us to get a great return..
Well, Bylsma had no problem separating Despres and Letang today, benching Despres at times and "demoting" him to the 3rd pairing with Bortuzzo, and moving Engelland up to take Simon's spot with Letang.
Well, Bylsma had no problem separating Despres and Letang today, benching Despres at times and "demoting" him to the 3rd pairing with Bortuzzo, and moving Engelland up to take Simon's spot with Letang.
Oh okay. My mistake then, i missed todays game so i wasnt aware THAT much happened.
Some impressive post-lockout numbers for WBS. In the last 10 games, they've given up 11 goals. They're also not even giving up many shots, only 22 per game during that period. Bodes well for how the young d-man are playing.
Some impressive post-lockout numbers for WBS. In the last 10 games, they've given up 11 goals. They're also not even giving up many shots, only 22 per game during that period. Bodes well for how the young d-man are playing.
9-1 over that span.
Could Samuelsson be joining the discussion regarding D prospects ready for a shot at the NHL next season? For all the "Dumoulin is NHL-ready" talk, Samuelsson has +15 over him at the moment.
Could Samuelsson be joining the discussion regarding D prospects ready for a shot at the NHL next season? For all the "Dumoulin is NHL-ready" talk, Samuelsson has +15 over him at the moment.
Samuelsson has definitely been much improved this year. He looked out of place a lot last year but considering that he was a playing in the AHL at very early age, it shouldn't of been too much of a surprise. He's a very no-frills type of player who I can see being a bottom-pairing d-man in the NHL in a couple of years. Before this season, I didn't think he had much of a NHL outlook but he's been very solid this year. He gives me the impression that he's a bit bigger than his listed height, weight. One big thing from him this year is that he seems to know his limitations and doesn't try to do too much, basically keeps thing simple and makes the safe play. His physicality level is decent but not great at this point.
As for his (and Morrow's) +- rise in the last month or so compared to Dumoulin, I wouldn't put too much stock in it. Dumoulin is on the top pairing and Morrow-Samuellson are receiving easier responsibilities. The jump players typically make from their first to second pro year makes me feel pretty optimistic about a guy like Morrow taking a big step forward next year and I can certainly see Dumoulin challenge for a spot on the NHL team if some guys are moved out in a trade this off-season. Otherwise, WBS is looking at a seriously good prospect filled group of d-man next season as I expect Morrow to likely spend the full year in the AHL and Dumoulin to at least start there. Next season's WBS squad will definitely have Dumoulin, Morrow, Grant, Samuellson and Harrington to start the year with other depth guys like D'Agostino (if he signs)/McNeil/Ruopp/Seymour (not sure on the last two CHL status) playing in Wheeling.
It'll be easily the deepest d-man group I can remember for the Pens in the pro ranks.
As for Dumoulin, he's a such a steady player. It's pretty crazy that he has only taken 6 penalties all season in over 40 games, especially considering his expanded role the last 15 games or so. Just a very poised, discipline player with enough offensive ability that I feel really good about him eventually turning into a solid second pairing guy. I can't remember the last time I've been as pleasantly surprised with a prospect, though honestly I probably shouldn't be considering his track record at BC.
The thing with Morrow is that I put him ahead of dumoulin I'm chances to make the team next year based pelt on or desperate need for a pp qb. If we get one this of season I certainly agree that dumoulin its the more NHL ready player and more likely to be ready to step into an NHL role
I was looking through our prospects, mainly our forwards, and I was intrigued with Ben Hanowski. Anyone know what he's projected to be like? Any chance at making the NHL? im looking at his stats and they don't seem too bad.
Could Samuelsson be joining the discussion regarding D prospects ready for a shot at the NHL next season? For all the "Dumoulin is NHL-ready" talk, Samuelsson has +15 over him at the moment.
The answer is no. But Samuelsson has put himself back on the radar as a legit prospect for us, especially if he can elevate his play again next year. He has gone from looking more like an ECHLer last year to looking like a quality AHL defender this year, but he doesn't look like a star at the AHL level, nor has he improved all the areas of the game that he'll need to (yet) to make the jump to the NHL level.
Samuelsson has definitely improved in A LOT of areas where he was presently weak: not always making good decisions or great passes of the puck, needing much improvement in his skating, and needing to distinguish himself in some capacity, hopefully by showing more physicality and a mean-streak, which he has. This has all allowed him to be an effective player who is on the rise at the AHL level. But no, I think he has virtually ZERO chance of seriously competing for a job at the NHL level next year...
Especially when we have guys like Dumoulin (who looks like by next season he should be more than ready), and Harrington (who some, like myself, believe could jump in and play for the Pens right away, especially due to his high hockey sense in being able to pick up our system quickly, an absolute shot-blocking machine who could easily play on our first PK unit, as well as being probably the most reliable & mistake-free Dman I have ever seen at that age).
Otherwise, WBS is looking at a seriously good prospect filled group of d-man next season as I expect Morrow to likely spend the full year in the AHL and Dumoulin to at least start there. Next season's WBS squad will definitely have Dumoulin, Morrow, Grant, Samuellson and Harrington to start the year with other depth guys like D'Agostino (if he signs)/McNeil/Ruopp/Seymour (not sure on the last two CHL status) playing in Wheeling.
As for Dumoulin, he's a such a steady player. It's pretty crazy that he has only taken 6 penalties all season in over 40 games, especially considering his expanded role the last 15 games or so. Just a very poised, discipline player with enough offensive ability that I feel really good about him eventually turning into a solid second pairing guy. I can't remember the last time I've been as pleasantly surprised with a prospect, though honestly I probably shouldn't be considering his track record at BC.
The bolded part is the only place I disagree with you. I think Dumoulin has a VERY good chance at being a regular Dman for the NHL Pens next year, and that chance raises exponentially if Despres and/or anyone in our top-6 (Nisky, Martin, Orpik) gets traded. While I think Desres is the most likely to be traded, if he is not, I think Despres, Dumoulin and Harrington all have a fair shot, but not all will make it, of course. I think its safe to say that based on play alone, Dumoulin has been better than Despres at the AHL level. But I respect the Pens not wanting to rush Dumoulin, and that's why Despres was he guy selected of that bunch to get the opportunity, because of Simon's experience of spending a year with WBS and getting accustomed to the system. By next seasn, Despres won't have that distinction, and Dumoulin may overtake Despres as the better or more NHL-ready player.
Stats as of Feb 3
* denotes rookies Italics mean the player is not on the team at the moment (promoted/demoted)
MINOR PRO
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL, 24-18-2-1, 3rd in East Division)
The Baby Pens' uneven season went on the upswing again last month, winning nine of their last ten games in which they allowed only 11 goals against, and while Brad Thiessen posted 4 shutouts in as many weeks. The good run came despite some serious roster change after the end of the NHL lockout. Three defensemen left WBS in January: Simon Després and Robert Bortuzzo stuck with the big club after camp, and Brian Strait was lost on waivers to the NY Islanders. The Baby Pens partially replaced these losses by signing NHL veteran Mark Eaton to a tryout and Nailers defender Cody Wild to an AHL contract. Wild spent most of last season with the team so he knows the system. Joe Morrow also took advantage to break a 32 game goalless streak Feb 1 against Manchester.
The roster changed less at forward where only Eric Tangradi made the jump to Pittsburgh while the disappointing Benn Ferriero was traded to the NY Rangers for a more productive minor leaguer in Chad Kolarik. With Beau Bennett injured again, Kolarik was the lone WBS representative at the All-Star Game Jan 28 at Providence. Kolarik scored twice as his East team lost 6-7. Joining Bennett on IR are currently Paul Thompson, Tom Kühnhackl and Phil Dupuis. To compensate, the Baby Pens brought in a blast from the past in Tom Kostopoulos, the franchise's all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points. At his age he is unlikely to do much about the club's scoring woes but will provide depth and leadership on a team that still hasn't elected a captain.
F Chad Kolarik (27, trade with NYR '13): 19-18-37, 40 PIM, +2 (46 gp)
F Riley Holzapfel (24, free agent '12): 15-15-30, 44 PIM, +2
F Trevor Smith (27, free agent '12): 12-14-26, 38 PIM, +3
*F Beau Bennett (21, 1st rd. '10): 6-18-24, 14 PIM, +0 (32 gp) - undisclosed, "day-to-day"
F Paul Thompson (24, free agent '11): 14-8-22, 50 PIM, +3 (39 gp) - upper body injury, "a couple weeks" F Eric Tangradi (23, trade with ANA '09): 10-8-18, 57 PIM, -8 (34 gp)
F Brian Gibbons (24, free agent '11): 5-13-18, 16 PIM, -3 (39 gp)
D Dylan Reese (28, free agent '12): 3-12-15, 22 PIM, +1 (39 gp)
*D Brian Dumoulin (21, trade with CAR '12): 4-10-14, 12 PIM, -5 (42 gp)
F Warren Peters (30, free agent '12): 7-4-11, 62 PIM, +2 (42 gp)
F Philippe Dupuis (27, free agent '12): 2-9-11, 14 PIM, -7 (34 gp) - undisclosed, "out for a while"
*D Joseph Morrow (20, 1st rd. '11): 2-8-10, 31 PIM, -2 (37 gp)
D Philip Samuelsson (21, 2nd rd. '09): 2-6-8, 26 PIM, +9 (35 gp) D Simon Després (21, 1st rd. '09): 4-3-7, 28 PIM, -5 (27 gp)
D Alex Grant (24, 4th rd. '07): 3-4-7, 31 PIM, +2 (22 gp)
*F Jayson Megna (23, free agent '12): 3-4-7, 6 PIM, -5 (26 gp)
*F Adam Payerl (21, free agent '12): 2-4-6, 10 PIM, +3 (13 gp)
*F Tom Kühnhackl (20, 4th rd. '10): 2-2-4, 6 PIM, +3 (11 gp) - shoulder injury, out for the season
F Zack Sill (24, free agent '11): 2-2-4, 41 PIM, +4 (26 gp) D Robert Bortuzzo (23, 3rd rd. '07): 1-2-3, 32 PIM, +2 (28 gp)
*F Dominik Uher (20, 5th rd. '11): 0-3-3, 38 PIM, +0 (29 gp) F Keven Veilleux (23, 2nd rd. '07): 0-0-0, 7 PIM, -1 (4 gp)
F Steve MacIntyre (32, free agent '11): 0-0-0, 46 PIM, -1 (24 gp)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G Jeff Zatkoff (25, free agent '12): 15-12-0, 2.00 GAA, .918 SP, 3 SO
G Brad Thiessen (26, free agent '09): 9-8-1, 3.47 GAA, .907 SP, 4 SO
Wheeling Nailers (ECHL, 21-16-3-5, 3rd in Atlantic Division) Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL, 21-22-2-3, 5th in South Division)
Wheeling also felt the end of the lockout as Adam Payerl, among others, was recalled to WBS, and Carl Sneep was traded to Dallas for a conditional pick. The Nailers also sent goalie Patrick Killeen to Orlando, leaving Reid McNeill as the only Penguins prospect currently on the team. Keven Veilleux is still suspended by the league for a racial slur, his future with Wheeling is uncertain. But it looks very likely that him and Killeen no longer figure into Pittsburgh's plans going forward.
F Keven Veilleux (23, 2nd rd. '07): 2-4-6, 12 PIM, +0 (7 gp) - suspended until Feb 10
*D Reid McNeill (20, 6th rd. '10): 0-4-4, 37 PIM, -6 (23 gp) *F Tom Kühnhackl (20, 4th rd. '10): 1-0-1, 2 PIM, +2 (2 gp) *F Adam Payerl (21, free agent '12): 1-0-1, 15 PIM, +1 (4 gp) *F Dominik Uher (20, 5th rd. '11): 0-1-1, 0 PIM, +0 (3 gp)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G Patrick Killeen (22, 6th rd. '08): 5-6-2-2, 3.50 GAA, .876 SP, 0 SO (includes games with Orlando)
NCAA
Co-captain Ben Hanowski has the high-scoring Huskies in first place in the WCHA, with UNO at their heels. Mavericks sophomore Josh Archibald is about to double his freshman output. Alex Velischek is tied for 4th in Hockey East in Plus/Minus.
Kenny Agostino had a 7 game scoring streak in January, producing 10 points to remain Yale's leading scorer. He is also the 5th highest scorer in the ECAC. At the same time, Nick D'Agostino is slumping along with his team. Cornell are 1-7 in 2013, with D'Agostino posting 3 points and a -5 in those games.
Bryan Rust has set a new career high in goals and tied his career high in points, currently he is the 3rd best scorer on a low-scoring Fighting Irish team. Teddy Blueger has gone cold after returning from the WJC, recording 1 goal and 0 assists in 6 games since.
Seniors
D Nick D'Agostino (22, 7th rd. '08) - Cornell (8-11-2, 11th in ECAC): 3-8-11, 14 PIM, +0
F Ben Hanowski (22, 3rd rd. '09) - St. Cloud State (17-10-1, 1st in WCHA): 12-10-22, 10 PIM, +6 (23 gp)
D Alex Velischek (22, 5th rd. '09) - Providence (10-10-5, 5th in Hockey East): 0-6-6, 28 PIM, +16
Juniors
F Bryan Rust (20, 3rd rd. '10) - Notre Dame (16-11-1, 3rd in CCHA): 7-12-19, 2 PIM, +14
F Kenneth Agostino (20, 5th rd. '10) - Yale (13-6-3, 2nd in ECAC): 12-15-27, 26 PIM, +6
Sophomores
F Josh Archibald (20, 6th rd. '11) - Nebraska-Omaha (16-10-2, 2nd in WCHA): 15-12-27, 20 PIM, +14
F Scott Wilson (20, 7th rd. '11) - UMass-Lowell (14-9-2, 6th in Hockey East): 7-14-21, 16 PIM, -3
Freshmen
*F Teodor Blueger (18, 2nd rd. '12) - Minnesota State (16-9-3, 7th in WCHA): 3-10-13, 30 PIM, +0 (24 gp)
*G Sean Maguire (19, 4th rd. '12) - Boston University (13-10-1, 4th in Hockey East): 6-4-0, 2.62 GAA, .915 SP, 2 SO
JUNIOR LEAGUES
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League:
Val d'Or are still - and rather unexpectedly - only a middle of the pack team in the Q, currently 10th in points, 7th in goals for and 11th in goals against. The Foreurs have yet to put together a big winning streak to really climb up in the standings. Anton Zlobin has been his reliably productive self, setting a new career high in assists but dropping back to 15th in league-wide scoring.
Val d'Or Foreurs (26-22-0-3, 4th in Telus West Division)
F Anton Zlobin (19, 6th rd. '12): 24-41-65, 31 PIM, +11 (45 gp)
Ontario Hockey League:
While London have taken their foot off the gas for a bit, Kitchener and Sault Ste. Marie solidified their playoff positions with a strong month. The Knights are poised to finish tops in the league, the Rangers are duelling Owen Sound for 2nd place in the Midwest Division, and the Greyhounds are in a three-way battle to win the West Division. Only Peterborough has fallen way behind the pack, though a continued Kingston slump could yet see them finish 8th in the East.
Scott Harrington had a rare multiple point game with 3 assists Jan 24 at Ottawa. Meanwhile Olli Määttä has been very quiet on the scoresheet with only 2 assists in 9 games since returning from the WJC. Matia Marcantuoni is showing signs of life again, ending a 9 game pointless streak Jan 18 and posting a modest 3-1-4 in his 8 games since. He is also a +6 for 2013 after finishing 2012 at -10. Matt Murray had his best month yet going 6-2-1 with a 2.73 GAA in January, but he's still looking for his first shutout of the season.
London Knights (39-9-1-2, 1st in Midwest Division)
D Scott Harrington (19, 2nd rd. '11): 1-14-15, 22 PIM, +16 (42 gp)
D Olli Määttä (18, 1st rd. '12): 3-23-26, 24 PIM, +8 (41 gp)
Kitchener Rangers (30-15-1-5, 3rd in Midwest Division)
F Matia Marcantuoni (18, 4th rd. '12): 7-11-18, 30 PIM, -4 (47 gp)
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (28-19-2-2, 2nd in West Division)
G Matthew Murray (18, 3rd rd. '12): 21-15-1-1, 3.48 GAA, .900 SP, 0 SO
Peterborough Petes (16-28-3-4, 4th in East Division)
D Clark Seymour (19, 5th rd. '12): 2-9-11, 49 PIM, -13 (45 gp)
Western Hockey League:
Derrick Pouliot is still out with a lower-body injury but Portland doesn't mind, being the first team in the league to qualify for the playoffs.
Not that points will ever matter much to his game but Harrison Ruopp set new career highs for assists and points last month.
Portland Winterhawks (43-7-1-2, 1st in U.S. Division)
D Derrick Pouliot (19, 1st rd. '12): 8-30-38, 54 PIM, +31 (39 gp)
Prince Albert Raiders (30-18-1-3, 1st in East Division)
D Harrison Ruopp (19, trade with PHO '12): 1-11-12, 100 PIM, +10 (50 gp)
EUROPE
Alex Pechurskiy is one of the top goalies in the Russian 2nd tier pro league. Oscar Sundqvist is shuttling back and forth between Skellefteå's Elitserien-leading senior team (1 point in 13 gp) and his junior league playoff-like round robin series.
Yuzhny Ural Orsk (28-15-3-0, 4th in Russian Major League)
G Alexander Pechurskiy (22, 5th rd. '08): 22-11-2, 1.83 GAA, .935 SP, 5 SO
All of you have a much higher opinion of Martin than I do. One poster on the Devils board mentioned the thing that really pis*** him of about the Penguins is Martin won a battle on the boards against some Devils winger. He gets ice time but that doesn't mean he deserves it. Bylsma by nature doesn't want young players to have to much ice time. One wonders how he treats Jordan Staal his rookie year. I strongly suggest Bylsma and Martin are both expendable. Letang was not Mr Defense when he came up. Morrow will be fine as well. He will more than replace Martin next year if that is the case.
All of you have a much higher opinion of Martin than I do. One poster on the Devils board mentioned the thing that really pis*** him of about the Penguins is Martin won a battle on the boards against some Devils winger. He gets ice time but that doesn't mean he deserves it. Bylsma by nature doesn't want young players to have to much ice time. One wonders how he treats Jordan Staal his rookie year. I strongly suggest Bylsma and Martin are both expendable. Letang was not Mr Defense when he came up. Morrow will be fine as well. He will more than replace Martin next year if that is the case.
No he wont he stil has a long way to go for being defensively sound and believe it or not getting rid of martin will actually make us a worse team now. He will prob get traded but when we have a defencemen who is ready to make an impact
Morrow is a totally different type of player than Martin. They can't even begin to play the same role for a hockey team. Scott Harrington may have a chance to play a shutdown role like Martin when he makes the big club in a year or two.
Morrow is a totally different type of player than Martin. They can't even begin to play the same role for a hockey team. Scott Harrington may have a chance to play a shutdown role like Martin when he makes the big club in a year or two.
Agreed on Harrington to be a guy who replaces Martin (or even play with him), and a guy like Despres or Dumoulin to replace a guy like Orpik (with their size). I also expect Bortuzzo to be more than a bottom pairing Dman going forward. I think he could easily be a 2nd pairing or 2a/2b pairing type of guy.
For example, if we traded Orpik and not Martin in the summer:
Then we could look at a guy like Morrow replacing Niskanen in 2-3 years, at which time Nisky should be in his prime, and we could look to get prime value for him if we traded him.
