Making the playoffs would have been a great selling argument to the better UFAs this summer, but I think a 90 point season with a team that has a very young core is ok in that regard. I hope Avs push for the obvious upgrades that are available.
I think the main priority right now is re-signing Jones and McClement. I'm not sure O'Brien offers anything we don't already have in others, but if Gaunce/Barrie/Elliott still need more seasoning he might be an ok short term solution.
So you don't like Johnson's play over the last half of the season?
Johnson has an amazing set of physical skills. I haven't seen him much lately with his injury. But, I think he can still add more to his game (i.e. anticipating plays and break them to shut the other team down). He can dominate you physically. But, when you have that kind of skill, I want to see him control a game.
Making the playoffs would have been a great selling argument to the better UFAs this summer, but I think a 90 point season with a team that has a very young core is ok in that regard. I hope Avs push for the obvious upgrades that are available.
I think the main priority right now is re-signing Jones and McClement. I'm not sure O'Brien offers anything we don't already have in others, but if Gaunce/Barrie/Elliott still need more seasoning he might be an ok short term solution.
I don't think we need any big-name free agents. We definitely need to keep Jones and McClement. I also think we need to keep O'Brien as well. He really keeps things stable back there and would be a good partner for Elliot or Barrie. He's got stone hands, but I like what he can bring.
I also think Barrie is more NHL-ready than Elliot. Elliot gets knocked off the puck too easily. Much like him though, Barrie still needs to bulk up (that turnover in OT against the Canucks was killer). Far too often, I see teams target Elliot. Not so much with Barrie I think.
Thats a smart move then. No need to spend right now wait till after the CBA and then steal Parise
If Sherman seriously can't go out and splurge on Parise before the CBA is negotiated and still put together a good team after it is (even if the cap goes down to like $48 mil again), he doesn't deserve to be the GM of a team.
If we head into next season with a roster along the lines of:
Lando-Radar-Downie
McGinn-Staz-Jones
XXX-Duchene-Mueller/Olver
Malone-McClement-Kobasew
XXX-EJ
Hejda-Barrie
Gaunce/Wilson-O'Byrne
We'd have a great chance at the playoffs. Hell if we can get Suter, Parise, Semin or Garrison and an adequate solution for the other spot that's a lineup that can even win a series with good health. Then we have to keep in mind that if we found a long term solution for one spot Sherman would have a good amount of ammo on hand to make a move to fill the other spot via trade.
I feel like we aren't that far off. We have a solid young core and a great goaltending tandem. I have a feeling Sherman will start to loosen the purse strings up a pretty good bit over the next two years. He won't be able to use rebuilding as an excuse anymore. I won't hate on Sherman for what he's done up to this point because we're in a very good situation moving forward. He didn't "Gomez" us during an important rebuilding period for a quick fix. I respect him for that even if it meant a few down years.
I'd be thrilled with weber or parise but not at $7.5m for ten years.
If we head into next season with a roster along the lines of:
Lando-Radar-Downie
McGinn-Staz-Jones
XXX-Duchene-Mueller/Olver
Malone-McClement-Kobasew
XXX-EJ
Hejda-Barrie
Gaunce/Wilson-O'Byrne
We'd have a great chance at the playoffs. Hell if we can get Suter, Parise, Semin or Garrison and an adequate solution for the other spot that's a lineup that can even win a series with good health. Then we have to keep in mind that if we found a long term solution for one spot Sherman would have a good amount of ammo on hand to make a move to fill the other spot via trade.
That roster does not excite me unless the XXX players are very good. The Avs need to had 2 very good players.
That roster does not excite me unless the XXX players are very good. The Avs need to had 2 very good players.
With a year of growth and good solutions to those two holes that's a roster that'll see playoff hockey. At their age I just want to see the team make the palyoffs next year and do well. If we get Suter and Parise what "well" means changes, but we're looking at a team that's in position to start a long stretch of regular playoff hockey. That is exciting.
Johnson has an amazing set of physical skills. I haven't seen him much lately with his injury. But, I think he can still add more to his game (i.e. anticipating plays and break them to shut the other team down). He can dominate you physically. But, when you have that kind of skill, I want to see him control a game.
Just a suggesting for the offseason, I think we should go out and sign Dan Paille. He's a young, former first-rounder with decent skills and physicality who played in an excellent Boston system. He won't break the bank and he'll provide good depth.
