I know I'm in the minority but I don't think we should add any free agents.
If we can trade Green for a decent top 6 winger then make it so. The free agent pool outside of Parise and Suter is largely unimpressive.
Carlson and Alzner are a year older and a year more experienced, and although MoJo probably isn't ready to make the leap to 2nd line center he will be better than last year and is going to impress everyone.
The defense is pretty solid with Carlson/Alzner/Orlov/Hamrlik you're going to need to find two bottom pairing guys (obviously I don't think Schultz should be on the team, and I wouldn't count on Erskine.
It's time to move forward with who we have and let them develop, fixing holes through trades and drafting. I know this may be hard to understand since most of you (I'm guessing) are Redskins fans and adding free agents seems like the fix to all your problems.
Semin was decent against Boston before he did his ghost act and Green was once again useless. 4 points for an offensive defensemen? Go ahead and defend that, I'll wait.
Lets say Semin is gone. We still have 5 out of 6. We only need 1 top 6 assuming he leaves.
Are we going to be running an uptempo... shell again? If we are going to stay in the shell, maybe Ward should get a look in our top 6. If we want to just dump chase and retreat and not draw PP's, we may be fine up top. Let MJ keep learning, and get a 2RW to replace Semin, or move Laich back to wing, and pickup Jokinen.
Lets say Semin is gone. We still have 5 out of 6. We only need 1 top 6 assuming he leaves.
Are we going to be running an uptempo... shell again? If we are going to stay in the shell, maybe Ward should get a look in our top 6. If we want to just dump chase and retreat and not draw PP's, we may be fine up top. Let MJ keep learning, and get a 2RW to replace Semin, or move Laich back to wing, and pickup Jokinen.
A 2nd line with Laich-MJ-Jokinen isn't going to scare anyone and still leaves a hole at 1RW
I know I'm in the minority but I don't think we should add any free agents.
If we can trade Green for a decent top 6 winger then make it so. The free agent pool outside of Parise and Suter is largely unimpressive.
Carlson and Alzner are a year older and a year more experienced, and although MoJo probably isn't ready to make the leap to 2nd line center he will be better than last year and is going to impress everyone.
The defense is pretty solid with Carlson/Alzner/Orlov/Hamrlik you're going to need to find two bottom pairing guys (obviously I don't think Schultz should be on the team, and I wouldn't count on Erskine.
It's time to move forward with who we have and let them develop, fixing holes through trades and drafting. I know this may be hard to understand since most of you (I'm guessing) are Redskins fans and adding free agents seems like the fix to all your problems.
Semin was decent against Boston before he did his ghost act and Green was once again useless. 4 points for an offensive defensemen? Go ahead and defend that, I'll wait.
GMGM is that you?? You don't have to wait long. This team won't be worth a lick of **** without center depth.
Lets say Semin is gone. We still have 5 out of 6. We only need 1 top 6 assuming he leaves.
Are we going to be running an uptempo... shell again? If we are going to stay in the shell, maybe Ward should get a look in our top 6. If we want to just dump chase and retreat and not draw PP's, we may be fine up top. Let MJ keep learning, and get a 2RW to replace Semin, or move Laich back to wing, and pickup Jokinen.
I don't consider Laich or Brouwer Top 6 players... they can fill in there, but that doesn't mean they're top 6 players.
I don't consider Laich or Brouwer Top 6 players... they can fill in there, but that doesn't mean they're top 6 players.
Agreed completely. I think the top 6 needs an overhaul and that's if they keep Semin. Without him it looks brutal. At this point I only count 8 and 19 as reliable. Not a huge fan of MJ here.
Carlson and Alzner are a year older and a year more experienced, and although MoJo probably isn't ready to make the leap to 2nd line center he will be better than last year and is going to impress everyone.
The defense is pretty solid with Carlson/Alzner/Orlov/Hamrlik you're going to need to find two bottom pairing guys (obviously I don't think Schultz should be on the team, and I wouldn't count on Erskine.
It's time to move forward with who we have and let them develop, fixing holes through trades and drafting. I know this may be hard to understand since most of you (I'm guessing) are Redskins fans and adding free agents seems like the fix to all your problems.
Semin was decent against Boston before he did his ghost act and Green was once again useless. 4 points for an offensive defensemen? Go ahead and defend that, I'll wait.
You could have typed this verbatim (replacing Boston with New York and 4 points with 1 goal) one year ago. That worked out well.
No ****ing way you can address those holes through the draft/trade by October.
Those holes can be addressed as we've talked about numerous options in this thread alone, not to mention the many other threads. Using any of our picks, MJ, Eakin, Galiev, Widemans right or anyone else on our roster really you can trade for a Center for the 2nd line. As MJ + has been explored for Ribs in Dallas resign Semin and your 2nd line is now set move Laich up to MJ's current spot and Eakin takes Laich's then. Sign a UFA Dman Jackman or throw money at Suter.
Now I'm not saying that it will happen or that I expect any moves to be made but you stating that it wont happen or cant be addressed by October is just simply not true.
Agreed completely. I think the top 6 needs an overhaul and that's if they keep Semin. Without him it looks brutal. At this point I only count 8 and 19 as reliable. Not a huge fan of MJ here.
Glad to see that I'm not the only one! I just don't see him as a true top 6 player consistently yet. Do I think it could happen in a little more time? Of course, but right now, I don't much believe in him. The playoffs just disappointed me with the kid.
But, then again, where would he play if not the top 6 next year? He doesn't play a bottom 6 role. So do they slot him in the top 6 and watch him thrive or struggle? Do they slot him bottom 6 and see him look out of place because that isn't his game? He's a big question mark in my eyes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by NobodyBeatsTheWiz
So, rumors of Evander Kane not wanting to sign in the Peg.
I wonder if they do something around Laich (good western boy) and picks/prospects?
Wouldn't it be nice? I've always been a fan of Kane, and I would start doing heel clicks if we could pull that deal off. I don't have that high of hopes for it, but it could always happen.
Glad to see that I'm not the only one! I just don't see him as a true top 6 player consistently yet. Do I think it could happen in a little more time? Of course, but right now, I don't much believe in him. The playoffs just disappointed me with the kid.
But, then again, where would he play if not the top 6 next year? He doesn't play a bottom 6 role. So do they slot him in the top 6 and watch him thrive or struggle? Do they slot him bottom 6 and see him look out of place because that isn't his game? He's a big question mark in my eyes.
A 2nd line with Laich-MJ-Jokinen isn't going to scare anyone and still leaves a hole at 1RW
That was this is "George" talking. Laich was a scoring line wing during our president monster year and was often our 1C going 14 games deep two months ago. MJ could certainly bulk up and continue improving, regardless it became clear this last playoff, George is going to use him in a scoring role. Quite a few think Semin has done more harm than good. Knuble did fine as a 1RW in our monster year and I think Brouwer or Ward should be able to pot 15+ in the same role/TOI. Its not just the players, its the system.
Why not stay the course for now, and just dump the toxins down the river.
Ovi Nick Brouwer/Ward | Chimera Laich<-->MJ
Me talking: I am not sold he saw the LA blueprint - he probably feels he cannot attain that C depth "without mortgaging the future" WMTF. Is he dumping the play book from last year after Canada patting him on the back? I don't think there are enough top 6 forwards in the league to complete every teams anyways. Just like there arent enough top pair D's to complete every team., We have to dumb down how we define top 6 or top pair.
So, rumors of Evander Kane not wanting to sign in the Peg.
I wonder if they do something around Laich (good western boy) and picks/prospects?
Ovechkin-Backstrom-Johansson
Kane-Jokinen-Brouwer
Me likey that top 6.
Kane would be a nice addition. Not sure how the jets feel about Laich and not sure GMGM is willing to give up early picks, but it would be nice if it happened.
Glad to see that I'm not the only one! I just don't see him as a true top 6 player consistently yet. Do I think it could happen in a little more time? Of course, but right now, I don't much believe in him. The playoffs just disappointed me with the kid.
But, then again, where would he play if not the top 6 next year? He doesn't play a bottom 6 role. So do they slot him in the top 6 and watch him thrive or struggle? Do they slot him bottom 6 and see him look out of place because that isn't his game? He's a big question mark in my eyes.
The best way he would fit on this team would be as a trading chip. He has value and adding in one of the first rounders he should net us that missing 2C. It's almost painfully obvious. This team is built to win now. Waiting 1-3 more years to see how MJ develops only wastes more years of this core group.
The major problem is GMGM. As I said last winter he is an assets hoarder and won't give up what's needed to make those crucial moves.
I don't consider Laich or Brouwer Top 6 players... they can fill in there, but that doesn't mean they're top 6 players.
Well that just begs the question of what is a top 6 player then?
Forwards who ranked between 91-120 league wide in scoring put up between 44-50 points this year. Whether anyone likes it or not that is without a doubt solid second line production in the NHL today and Laich is 100% capable of producing in that realm if not better if given a top 6 role and Brouwer isn't too far behind IMO.
