Hall(6)- *******-Eberle (6)( need a vet big # 1C to let Nuge develop)
****- RNH(3.8)-Yak(3.8)( a true PF Lw to open up space)
MPS(1.5)-Gags(4.5)(*****(big physical defensive minded Rw)
Eager(1.1)*******-Brown(0.78)(6-8 min/gm fast and physical to forecheck)
*******-Justin(3.8)(need another strong minute eater, not necessarily a true #1)
Smid(4)-Petry(1.75)
Fistric(1.5)-******
Dubnyk(3.5)(too bad he has to face the most shots a game in the NHL)
******
64.3 cap
-42.5 in cap used...
= 22.2 cap space left
Need
1) vet top pairing dman(5mill).......
2) vet #1C (6 mill)
3) physical top six LW(4mill)
4) Physical def 3rd RW( 3mill)
5) 5/6 dman (2 mill)
6) 4th line grinding centre (1mill)
7 backup goalie (800k)
Might be able to fill some of these needs internally..or through trades...but we need some vets to help the kids.....expecting a 19/20 yr old centre to lead you to the playoffs is pretty unrealistic....even trading for some short term 1-2 yr contracts until the kids develop ...
Would also like to see Ralph role the top 9 and play the 4th line about 8-10 shifts a game
Can someone please print this off and hand deliver it to Tambo just so he knows what he has to do. You've done half his job. Now lets see if he can do the other half.
Shouldnt be too hard considering we would have Hemsky, Gagner, Paajarvi, Jones and Whitney as trade bait.
Given that guys with size, grit and scoring ability are pretty much the most sought after commodity in the game, why would any team give them up for guys the worst team in the league has deemed expendable?
Hall,
Ebs,
RNH,
Yakupov,
Gags,
Future top 3 draft pick,
J. Shultz,
Smyth,
Jones,
Horcoff,
Sutton,
Hemsky traded for a good 3rd liner.
Sign (or trade I can't remember) Ryan Malone to a 3 year deal.
Try to pry yandle out of Phoenix, if it takes a 1st 2nd, and a roster player so be it.
Can someone please print this off and hand deliver it to Tambo just so he knows what he has to do. You've done half his job. Now lets see if he can do the other half.
Well it's not my day job.....it's not like I have all day to talk hockey with other teams gms and and identify what it will take to acquire the players needed to fill the holes in the roster.....but something our gm needs to do is realize you don't need to win every trade to fill a major hole on the roster......overpaying to fill a hole is an option at this point if we want to see a complete roster in the next yr or two...
It is one thing to identify the holes...and quite another to identify and acquire the players needed to fill those players within a cap structure..........but that is Tambos JOB..... Picks , prospects and kids can only help a team so much.
Hall,
Ebs,
RNH,
Yakupov,
Gags,
Future top 3 draft pick,
J. Shultz,
Smyth,
Jones,
Horcoff,
Sutton,
Hemsky traded for a good 3rd liner.
Sign (or trade I can't remember) Ryan Malone to a 3 year deal.
Try to pry yandle out of Phoenix, if it takes a 1st 2nd, and a roster player so be it.
Thats what I would do anyways.
So trading for less value makes sense to you how? That grass on the other side sure is green eh? Does anyone remember the 90's, line after line of grinders and pluggers, we finally have skilled assets don't throw them away...the 3rd and 4th liners are readily available off waivers and FA. I think we all agree Tambo has holes to fill but you don't achieve this by trading assets for lesser value...yes Hemsky has value, more than most think.
So trading for less value makes sense to you how? That grass on the other side sure is green eh? Does anyone remember the 90's, line after line of grinders and pluggers, we finally have skilled assets don't throw them away...the 3rd and 4th liners are readily available off waivers and FA. I think we all agree Tambo has holes to fill but you don't achieve this by trading assets for lesser value...yes Hemsky has value, more than most think.
I would trade Hemsky for a mike Grier clone any day....at least the mid - late 90's team could play physical and win a playoff round....we need some physical veteran top nine forwards for this team to take the next step.....
I've already posted in this thread but I feel like a bigger explanation is needed. Bolded stay the rest leave.
Taylor Hall - He is part of the core. His effort level is there 9 games out of 10 and he's a spark to this team. He should be named captain next season. New voice in the locker room and a guy who leads by example on ice. Naming him captain would also be a big part of the culture change this team is in need of.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Part of the core. Number 1 center of the future and despite his struggles this season offensively he will be one of the best centers in the league one day. Patience with him.
Jordan Eberle - Part of the core but a guy you might use as a trade chip if it's really worth it sometime in the future. Not saying I want him gone at all, in fact I would entertain trading Yak before Eberle but it's something to think about whereas you probably wouldn't even consider with Hall and Nuge.
Nail Yakupov - See Eberle.
Sam Gagner - Compete, Heart and now consistency. He's a keeper. Some might say we need size down the middle in our top 6, I don't agree. Find the size in your 3rd and 4th line centers and add size in the top 6 LW.
Ales Hemsky - Despite his play this year and how good he looks he's a little bit inconsistent and it's time for him to go. We have a clear need for size in the top 6 which means someone has to go and it's not going to be Hall, Eberle or Yakupov.
Magnus Paajarvi - He's showing what he can do with better linemates and he's making a strong case to stick. If you can use him as a trade chip do it but for now definitely keep him.
Ryan Jones - Same for Paajarvi basically. He's the kind of player we really need more of but at the same time.. Gaustad got a 1st last year. I seriously wonder what we could get for Jonesy.
Shawn Horcoff - Time to move on. Like I said, if we're commited to Gagner and Nuge 1-2 punch then size and grit is needed from the 3rd and 4th line centers. Horcoff does not provide that and buying him out would free up cap space to make other moves.
Ryan Smyth - Please, retire. If he doesn't want to retire then tell him he's not on this team next year. The only thing he provides anymore is Penalty Killing and we have enough players who can do that.
Eric Belanger - Same for Horcoff. Needs to go. Too soft, not enough offense coming from him.
Teemu Hartikainen - Not hitting, no real offensive tools. He's a good piece to a package deal IMO.
Ben Eager - I am also iffy on this one. I like that he hits, he's big and he's fast but at the same time he doesn't fight. In a perfect world we need a combination of Eager and Brown in one. Having both of them takes up a spot.
Lennart Petrell - I don't know if I think more highly of him than most or if I'm out to lunch but I love this guy. This is one of the few players who will finish his check every single time. He is a fantastic penalty killer and more than willing to sacrifice his body to block a shot. These are the playoff warrior kind of players.
Mike Brown - Great 13th forward, pretty good 12th. He's a good player to add to the lineup when we play Dallas, Vancouver, Minnesota, etc..
Justin Schultz - See Nuge and Hall. Part of core, untradeable player.
Nick Schultz - Nick's what we want Ryan Smyth to be. Someone who can actually still play and have a great veteran presence to the team. I agree he's had a few gafs this year but if he's playing on the bottom pairing he's a very effective player. There isn't many better defensive defenseman on the UFA market than him. Very good #5.
Jeff Petry - I put Fistric, Smid and Petry all in the same boat. They are top hitters for defenseman in the NHL. I like that Petry is our 2nd best puck mover, he gets the puck on net a lot and he's a great skater. Experience will shore up the defensive side. Stick with this player and he will be a very good #4.
Ladislav Smid - Much like Petrell. Unsung playoff hero kind of guy. Means a lot to the team and loves it here. Clear #3 defenseman on most teams in this league.
Mark Fistric - Quickly becoming one of my favorites. Sticks up for teammates and hits everything. Awesome #6.
Ryan Whitney - Improving his trade value which is nice. Yea, don't bring him back.
Theo Peckham - Truly unfortunate he's been dealing with concussion problems. A few years ago I had him as one of the untouchables on this team. Everyone loved him but he's clearly fallen off since his injuries. Don't bring him back.
Corey Potter - Ugh. PLEASE waive him or something. I don't even like him as a 7th defenseman. He and Smyth are the absolute worst players on this team.
Devan Dubnyk - Inconsistent, let's in a weak goal every so often but he's also facing the most shots in the league (or close to it) and has two of Whitney/Potter/Peckham in front of him each night which doesn't help. Not ready to give up on him. He has improved a lot even with the problems I've mentioned.
Nikolai Khabibulin - Injuries and age are the reason he won't and shouldn't be back. He's still a reliable backup to me though. Don't sign him.
So with that said;
Hall - Nuge - Eberle
xxxx - Gagner - Yak
Paajarvi - xxxx - Jones
xxxxxx - xxxxxxx - Petrell
Brown - xxxxxxx
xxxxxxx - J. Schultz
Smid - Petry
Fistric - N. Schultz
Teubert (Ready to jump up; tough RH D is also needed)
Dubnyk
xxxxxxx
Ten players need to go, seven roster spots available.
Second Line LW - The most important part we need to add this year. HAS to be a big, physical LW but a guy who can play in the top 6. Malone, Clowe, Brouwer fit the bill. That kind of player.
Third Line C - Needs to be someone who is big, physical, good on the dot and capable or providing secondary offense. Brian Boyle fits the bill, and he'd come cheap right now. Would be the absolute perfect fit. If not Boyle, someone along the lines of him.
Fourth Line LW/RW - Petrell can play either side so find a winger who provides energy and sticks up for teammates. Eager does one of those things, and not the other which is why he needs to be replaced. Players I see as an upgrade on Eager - Volpatti, McLeod, Tootoo. If you can't find a replacement, just keep Eager.
Fourth Line C - Find a guy who could be a borderline 3rd liner because if you're replacing Eager with someone like Volpatti then you need a little more skill to go on that line. Ideal fit - Talbot, Campbell type
Number Two D - Look at the trade market first and specifically Keith Yandle. He was expendable last year and we made an offer for him at the draft. Try again. If not the trade market you have Mark Streit. Krueger and Streit have connections from the Swiss National Team. Wouldn't be suprising at all.
Backup Goalie - Garon? Emery? Bishop for a 1a, 1b kind of situation? Someone reliable because we all know Dubnyk can have his moments.
Hall,
Ebs,
RNH,
Yakupov,
Gags, Future top 3 draft pick,
J. Shultz,
Smyth,
Jones,
Horcoff,
Sutton,
Hemsky traded for a good 3rd liner.
Sign (or trade I can't remember) Ryan Malone to a 3 year deal.
Try to pry yandle out of Phoenix, if it takes a 1st 2nd, and a roster player so be it.
Thats what I would do anyways.
The bolded is the first thing I want moved. I don't want that pick. I want to get a good player for it, even if it means giving up something else of value.
As for those mentioning Jones... I sort of question it to be honest. Yeah he works hard, but he doesn't really accomplish much. He pots the odd goal, but he doesn't bring a high energy game, doesn't bring a real physical element (hit stats be damned, I've never seen Jones really lay someone out).
He is such a non-factor most of the time. We have too many players like that. I see lists where people are only changing 3-4 forwards... team needs more of an overhaul than that.
Well it's not my day job.....it's not like I have all day to talk hockey with other teams gms and and identify what it will take to acquire the players needed to fill the holes in the roster.....but something our gm needs to do is realize you don't need to win every trade to fill a major hole on the roster......overpaying to fill a hole is an option at this point if we want to see a complete roster in the next yr or two...
It is one thing to identify the holes...and quite another to identify and acquire the players needed to fill those players within a cap structure..........but that is Tambos JOB..... Picks , prospects and kids can only help a team so much.
I think you have your finger on the heart of Tambo's problem. he isolates a trade by comparing players coming in vrs players going out. if those leaving could end up being better than those coming in, no trade. whether the player-type going out we happen to have a surplus of and the player-type coming we have none of is lost by Tambo.
Yes, Gagner and Paajarvi are getting good and Hemsky is good. Yes, our high picks could turn out to be good or great players. but, if trading any combination, or all of, these assets gets us 4 players we so desperately need, you gotta pull the trigger. You can't be scared that 5 years from now Paajarvi is a 25 goal scorer (doubtful anyways).
we got our 4 or 5 main pieces. we don't need to keep all the pretty good players. Even our 1st round pick this year, if it's lower than 5, should be in play. Gagner, I would only move for the perfect deal. Like Yandle or something like that. Even Yak should be moveable for the right player.
The bolded is the first thing I want moved. I don't want that pick. I want to get a good player for it, even if it means giving up something else of value.
As for those mentioning Jones... I sort of question it to be honest. Yeah he works hard, but he doesn't really accomplish much. He pots the odd goal, but he doesn't bring a high energy game, doesn't bring a real physical element (hit stats be damned, I've never seen Jones really lay someone out).
He is such a non-factor most of the time. We have too many players like that. I see lists where people are only changing 3-4 forwards... team needs more of an overhaul than that.
I completely agree; particularly the moving of this years pick. Another up and comer is not what this team needs. Trading that pick should give 1 or 2 quality players(vets) that can hopefully fast forward this painful rebuild.
If we keep the pick and draft whoever, it will be another year of excuses about kids learning the game.
Paajarvi is waiver eligible next year. He will not clear waivers so the farm is no longer an option.
Thanks I assume the same would be true for Hartikainen, maybe move Paajarvi for Blum that would make for a good bottom pairing and Blum has the upside to move up. I think a lot depends on what we can get back for Hemsky. We could play Paajarvi on the 4th line and alternate him with the tough guys but that seems like a waste only playing him 10 minutes a night.
Simple enough concept, which guys are worth bringing back and which ones do you want dealt, waived, let walk as FA's, retired, etc.
For me these are the only players that I care whether they come back or not.
Hall-RNH-Eberle
_____-Gagner-Yakupov
Paajarvi-_____-Jones
Eager-_______-Brown (I'm thinking, not sure yet)
_____-J. Schultz
Smid-Petry
Fistric-_____
_______
_______
I've given Gagner lots of **** over the years but he still tries hard which is something that we seem to lack. I wouldn't be crushed if we got a guy like Anisimov for him obviously, but what's the odds that management could pull off a deal like that?
Hemsky-dealt
Whitney-dealt
Belanger-dealt
Petrell-dealt
Smyth-retired/waived/bought out
Horcoff-bought out
Potter-sent to the minors or dealt
I completely agree with you.
I'm thinking next year Klefbom (ready or not) will end up playing with the Oilers. So you've got Klefbom and Fistric for a 3rd pairing.
You didn't say anything about Peckham. I'm not ready to judge him yet. I think he's been a bit more motivated this year, but we're so early into HIS season since he started the year injured that I'm not ready to judge yet.
Whitney and Smyth are poison. Horcoff is overpaid. Potter is incompetent. Get rid of them all.
Belanger... I could go either way. He's still good for a 4th line center IMO. He wins face-offs. We need that. Especially on the PK.
But Petrell, good on the PK, but useless enough that it gives the coach a reason to shorten the bench earlier in the game. Same with Belanger and Eager. I don't want to let go of Eager, though. I can see that he's tried harder this year. He's recently taken a few bad penalties, but you can't really complain when you think about how poorly the whole team has played.
I have a feeling that we could be looking at something like this next year:
Hall-Hopkins-Eberle
MPS-Gagner-Yakupov
Hartikainen-Center acquired via trade or free agency - Jones
Eager-Belanger-Brown
If Lander could actually win face-offs in the NHL, I'd say that Belanger would be getting dealt soon, but that's hardly the case.
I could be wrong about MPS and Hartikianen. MPS doesn't belong in a top-6 role, but he's by far the best guy we got for the job right now. If we could bring in a UFA without breaking the bank that would be awesome.
