Might be kind of a nutty idea, but let's try it on for size....
Hannan is still available, not what he used to be but think Glen Wesley in his last few years, good steady stay-at-home presence, provides some toughness, blocks shots, etc, and should come cheap.
He may not be a second-pair guy anymore but if you signed him with the intention of dressing 7 defensemen most nights, you could play either Hannan or Corvo as the situation dictates. Kind of a specialist platoon.
This would keep McBain and Corvo off the PK and give you a steady presence in late-game defensive spots, while letting Corvo also focus on what he does best, ie manning the power play and the occasional shift where his offense is needed.
You'd be short a forward on the fourth line, but that shouldn't be a big problem.
He'd be a decent pick-up but not in a platoon rotation. To me, he'd have been a better acquisition than Corvo and would have provided at least a somewhat close replacement to Allen.
He'd be a decent pick-up but not in a platoon rotation. To me, he'd have been a better acquisition than Corvo and would have provided at least a somewhat close replacement to Allen.
Agreed.
The question if he's a 7th defenseman is whether the team would carry 8 defensemen, or would Murphy go back to the OHL again? Would Sanguinetti and Gragnani both go down to Charlotte? These are the people I think are likely to compete for the 7th spot and rotate in and out with Corvo. Is Murphy ready for some NHL time? Can Sanguinetti prove himself with limited ice time in Raleigh? Those are my big questions for that 7th D spot.
He'd be a nice option for the bottom pair at this point in his career. Not my first choice by damn far from being a bad one. But as Bleed said, would that mean we're carrying 8 dmen on the roster for this coming season? Shuttling Gragnani and/or Sanguinetti back and forth to Charlotte hoping they don't get snagged on waivers?
I don't see Sangs making the team honestly. I may be wrong, not the first time. Gragnani will be a injury call up. If we roll 7, Murphy needs to be that 7th player.
I don't see Sangs making the team honestly. I may be wrong, not the first time. Gragnani will be a injury call up. If we roll 7, Murphy needs to be that 7th player.
I agree, I don't think Sanguinetti will beat out Murphy this year. And I think Gragnani is only an option to start the season if there is a rash of injuries or he's able to beat out both Sanguinetti and Murphy.
But given there's a plan A, B, and C for a 7th defenseman spot, does it make sense to bring in a veteran to block all 3 of them?
I agree, I don't think Sanguinetti will beat out Murphy this year. And I think Gragnani is only an option to start the season if there is a rash of injuries or he's able to beat out both Sanguinetti and Murphy.
But given there's a plan A, B, and C for a 7th defenseman spot, does it make sense to bring in a veteran to block all 3 of them?
It really doesn't. Unless we are packaging someone to get another piece.
