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Both players spent most of the year with their respective NHL clubs, not sure where you're getting the "not much NHL experience" from.
That being said I would think Nashville would need to add a 3rd or 4th.
No, no. Josi already looks incredible, while Connolly looks like a kid that needs a year in the AHL and an offseason workout program. If anything, we're adding. Josi is the real deal.
No, no. Josi already looks incredible, while Connolly looks like a kid that needs a year in the AHL and an offseason workout program. If anything, we're adding. Josi is the real deal.
You are out of your mind if you think we're adding. Connolly didn't light up the league but he stayed healthy all year. He's gonna be on the 2nd line with Vinny next year. I expect him to be close to 20/30/50.
You are out of your mind if you think we're adding. Connolly didn't light up the league but he stayed healthy all year. He's gonna be on the 2nd line with Vinny next year. I expect him to be close to 20/30/50.
Its highly unlikely hes even in Tampa next year, so I don't know how you get 20-30-50, and Josi is already playing top four minutes.
No, no. Josi already looks incredible, while Connolly looks like a kid that needs a year in the AHL and an offseason workout program. If anything, we're adding. Josi is the real deal.
Josi has looked good in his 1st season in Nashville playing on the same team as Pekka Rinne, Shea Weber, and Ryan Suter. He'll prob wind up being a very good defenseman, but he would be a pretty big gamble for Tampa at this point.
We'll probably already be taking a chance one one of Aulie/Lee/Mikkelson to step up in the #4 spot. Would you really be that confident with a #3/#4 pairing of Josi/Aulie going into next year? It could work out brilliantly, or we could be just as bad as this year.
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Originally Posted by Genius Brian Lawton
Its highly unlikely hes even in Tampa next year, so I don't know how you get 20-30-50, and Josi is already playing top four minutes.
If Connolly is traded for anything it would be a goalie. There are quite a few serviceable top 4 Dmen who can be gotten without trading him.
Josi has looked good in his 1st season in Nashville playing on the same team as Pekka Rinne, Shea Weber, and Ryan Suter. He'll prob wind up being a very good defenseman, but he would be a pretty big gamble for Tampa at this point.
We'll probably already be taking a chance one one of Aulie/Lee/Mikkelson to step up in the #4 spot. Would you really be that confident with a #3/#4 pairing of Josi/Aulie going into next year? It could work out brilliantly, or we could be just as bad as this year.
If Connolly is traded for anything it would be a goalie. There are quite a few serviceable top 4 Dmen who can be gotten without trading him.
Aulie hasn't shown me anything that makes me want to have him on this team next year, let alone being a 3 or 4. Josi is well rounded already. You'll see in the playoffs.
While I agree on Connolly, I meant that as "he'll be in the AHL next year". He almost got sent back to juniors this year, the team was **** though and the FO decided to have him learn here rather than with a questionable team in Western Canada.
Aulie hasn't shown me anything that makes me want to have him on this team next year
Really? Who exactly do you have slotted in the 3-7 spots that are all better options than him? The reality is probably that him, Lee, and Mikkelson will all be rotating in the #4 spot. With that kind of situation, you'd want a #3 who has already established themselves as top4 guy, not someone who's only played 50 games on a very good defensive team. (Remember, Aulie looked good playing top 2 minutes in his 1st NHL season. No reason to think Josi couldn't regress either.)
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Originally Posted by Genius Brian Lawton
While I agree on Connolly, I meant that as "he'll be in the AHL next year". He almost got sent back to juniors this year, the team was **** though and the FO decided to have him learn here rather than with a questionable team in Western Canada.
Agreed, especially if we still have Malone and Purcell next year. Lines would look like:
Malone - Stamkos - St. Louis
Purcell - Lecavalier - Brown
No reason to keep Connolly as a grinder when he could be playing top minutes in AHL.
Now, if Malone or Purcell gets traded for a top4 Dman, we might see Connolly stay with the bolts. Unless he gets pushed out by someone in training camp.
Edit: What I am trying to say is I think the Bolts best option is going to be someone like Dan Girardi.
I feel like Purcell will be part of our core going forward and he should not be traded.
I would be really sad if Purcell was traded, he's been great as a Bolt and really clicks with both Stammer and Vinny. The truth of the matter is that his trade value is incredibly high right now and he doesn't have a NMC/NTC like Malone does. I think if Yzerman had the chance to get a really good Dman and the price included Purcell, he'd do it.
I'm just trying to figure out scenarios/players that are likely to happen, rather than doing the armchair GM thing where I try to trade a couple draft picks and a bag of pucks for Shea Weber.
That being said, I think the deal would have to be really good in order for Yzerman to trade Purcell, so I'm pretty confident he'll be back next year.
Really? Who exactly do you have slotted in the 3-7 spots that are all better options than him? The reality is probably that him, Lee, and Mikkelson will all be rotating in the #4 spot. With that kind of situation, you'd want a #3 who has already established themselves as top4 guy, not someone who's only played 50 games on a very good defensive team. (Remember, Aulie looked good playing top 2 minutes in his 1st NHL season. No reason to think Josi couldn't regress either.)
I don't, and thats the problem. Mikkelson is a 5-6 on a good day, Lee hasn't exactly set the world on fire (he can't figure out how to go north-south here) and Aulie chases forwards into corners to never come back. If any of them are our #4 next year, we're not making the playoffs again.
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Agreed, especially if we still have Malone and Purcell next year. Lines would look like:
Malone - Stamkos - St. Louis
Purcell - Lecavalier - Brown
I wouldn't be so quick to pencil him in the top six, he'll have to fight Conacher for that spot.
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No reason to keep Connolly as a grinder when he could be playing top minutes in AHL.
Exactly.
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Now, if Malone or Purcell gets traded for a top4 Dman, we might see Connolly stay with the bolts. Unless he gets pushed out by someone in training camp.
Edit: What I am trying to say is I think the Bolts best option is going to be someone like Dan Girardi.
I can agree with that. Brown and Conacher can fight for the top six spot and Connolly can go to Syracuse to get some more size and seasoning. Dan Girardi would be such a great fit, but I doubt hes available, unless maybe Sather gets desperate if NYR takes a quick exit from the playoffs.
I don't, and thats the problem. Mikkelson is a 5-6 on a good day, Lee hasn't exactly set the world on fire (he can't figure out how to go north-south here) and Aulie chases forwards into corners to never come back. If any of them are our #4 next year, we're not making the playoffs again.
I dunno, I think Lee/Mikkelson could make a very serviceable 5/6 pair. The problem is if that becomes the 3/4 pair, yikes. Aulie could use some work for sure, but fortunately the flaws in his game are very fixable. He's got good instincts and is gifted physically. All 3 are young and will likely improve coming into next year.
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Originally Posted by Genius Brian Lawton
I wouldn't be so quick to pencil him in the top six, he'll have to fight Conacher for that spot.
No matter who loses, we win?
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Originally Posted by Genius Brian Lawton
Dan Girardi would be such a great fit, but I doubt hes available, unless maybe Sather gets desperate if NYR takes a quick exit from the playoffs.
I've got my fingers crossed, although there are similar options. No matter what though we're gonna have to give to get.
I dunno, I think Lee/Mikkelson could make a very serviceable 5/6 pair. The problem is if that becomes the 3/4 pair, yikes. Aulie could use some work for sure, but fortunately the flaws in his game are very fixable. He's got good instincts and is gifted physically. All 3 are young and will likely improve coming into next year.
No matter who loses, we win?
I've got my fingers crossed, although there are similar options. No matter what though we're gonna have to give to get.
I agree, and I know i'm hard on Aulie but thats because I see great tools and not enough discipline right now. Hopefully that changes with a training camp and offseason with the coaches.
if the canucks somehow win the stanley cup, we will trade:
Schneider, Bieksa, Hamhuis, Edler
for the rights to Steve Yzerman (as a player, not a GM)
Would laugh my ass off if Y made this trade, just so he could play again. #aintevenmad
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Originally Posted by Genius Brian Lawton
I agree, and I know i'm hard on Aulie but thats because I see great tools and not enough discipline right now. Hopefully that changes with a training camp and offseason with the coaches.
Agreed, hopefully the playoffs with the Admirals will help too. An Aulie/Barberio pairing could be pretty sick.
Granted, Mikkelson, Lee and Aulie have their flaws but, with each, I think Yzerman's done a good job identifying and obtaining a nice blend of size, edge and mobility to their game. The defensive lapses have been there, sure, but system awareness can be coached. I like the raw instincts and the high compete level all have shown. A huge plus too is they each have shown the ability to dish outlet passes efficiently. Lee has also shown poise with the puck in the o-zone.
The other thing to keep in mind is that they are cheap, serviceable bottom-pairing options that will allow flexibility in decision-making elsewhere in the roster.
It wouldn't surprise me, actually, if Lee starts the season as the #4. Some might bemoan that but I would imagine the plan would be to add a 2nd top-4 (given that a top-4 defender seems likely to be added via UFA or trade) at or before the trade deadline if the Lightning (as they should be) are in playoff contention or, better yet, a lock. That way another team pays anywhere from 1/2 and 3/4 of the actual salary and accumulates the same proportion of the cap hit before you bolster your defensive depth for the grind of the playoffs.
It's highly unlikely he [Connolly] is even in Tampa next year, so I don't know how you get 20-30-50
I think it's more likely Connolly is part of a different organization (Vancouver) than it is he spends next season with the AHL affiliate.
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He almost got sent back to juniors this year, the team was **** though and the FO decided to have him learn here rather than with a questionable team in Western Canada.
His skating, defensive awareness and confidence looked markedly improved through much of the last quarter of the season. I don't think he's a lock for 50 points either but if he spends he spends the bulk of his summer training diligently then there's no reason to think we won't see significant improvement statistically. The offensive creativity and passing was there in spades, IMO, but certainly he struggled to finish. The goals will come, though, especially if he earns more ice time with more talented linemates.
Last edited by nhljohnson: 04-11-2012 at 08:13 PM.
I don't see why Conacher and Connolly can't both be in Tampa next season. Both are cheap in terms of salary and cap space and, along with Brown, could allow the Lightning to ice a balanced top-9 without having to spend $$$ that could go towards significant additions at D and G instead on a UFA top-6 F.
Connolly-Stamkos-St. Louis
Purcell-Lecavalier-Brown
Malone-Thompson/UFA-Conacher
I'm not saying this is Yzerman's ideal setup or what I expect the top-9 to look like come opening night, but rather that I don't necessarily see Conacher and Connolly as mutually exclusive.
Also, my reason for putting Malone on 3rd line: one of the most effective lines the Lightning iced during the 2010-2011 season was Malone and Moore with Bergenheim (and, during one stretch, Purcell). Malone doesn't have to play in the top-6 to be effective. His point totals might be higher if he played exclusively in the top-6 and PP but the Lightning may be a more balanced and, ultimately, more successful team if he doesn't.
Last edited by nhljohnson: 04-11-2012 at 08:28 PM.
Connolly-Stamkos-St. Louis
Purcell-Lecavalier-Brown
Malone-Thompson/UFA-Conacher.
I don't like Connolly on the 1st line and I certainly don't like Thompson as our 3rd line center I feel like it would be better if we had more scoring depth instead of 2 checking lines.
Connolly-Stamkos-St. Louis
Purcell-Lecavalier-Brown
Malone-Thompson/UFA-Conacher
That would be 3 decent lines.
If that were the situation I would do something like:
Connolly-Stamkos-St. Louis
Conacher-Lecavalier-Purcell
Malone-Pyatt-Brown
Thompson - Hall
Brown, Malone, and Pyatt all play good defensive games, but all 3 are also capable offensively (especially Brown and Malone). If we still had Dominic Moore that would have been a fantastic 3rd line. Conacher and Connolly would be in very good positions to succeed considering who their linemates would be.
Back to the topic of the thread though, I'm still clueless as to who the #3 dman is gonna be.
A) What line do you like Connolly on?
B) Who would you slot on the 1st line instead? Conacher? If so, why?
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I certainly don't like Thompson as our 3rd line center I feel like it would be better if we had more scoring depth instead of 2 checking lines.
I too would prefer Thompson to center the 4th line and instead see a more offensively-talented 3rd line C. Hence the UFA designation as an alternative to Thompson. Wouldn't be shocked to see the return of Dominic Moore if the Sharks opt not to re-sign him, although I think Gaustad would be a very appealing (if pricey) alternative.
The point, though, of the lines I constructed is an attempt to get 3 lines that can score. Not equally, of course, but more balanced production than last year. Plus, you shield each young winger by playing them with vets at center and the opposite wing. Stamkos is gonna get his. Marty and Vinny, if healthy, are good for 25-30 each. Purcell will pot around 20. Malone and the 3rd line C should combine for 30. If the three kids can, collectively, tally at least 30, the Lightning won't be missing a beat offensively once you factor in the scoring from the bottom lines and call-ups.
Also, the Lightning can also survive a little bit of offensive regression if the G is fixed and the D at least partially addressed and thus the goals against per game drops.
As badly as I want a top 4 Dman coming to tampa, I don't think I could do that.
