Assuming for the moment Slats has only the pluck (not to mention the assets) to get one OR the other- a bonafide second line Center or a top 4 D, which deal would you rather he pull the trigger on?
I'd rather have a centerman to create balance on our forward lines. It may be a bit counterintuitive, but I think we have more developing talent on D in the minors we can use in the future, and besides, a guy to get the puck to Shanny would create more optimism that we can make a playoff push.
Definitely a 2nd line center. Even if our defense is piss poor down the stretch, Lundqvist will keep us in most games. That's how it's been most of this season and if we can jumpstart the offense, it'll take the load off of Lundqvist a bit.
Gotta go with the center. It appears as though there will be alot more Defensemen available UFA this season. Outside of Briere and Drury, I don't like the centers as much. Datsyuk doesn't interest me at all, if you check his career playoff stats, he has folded like a tent every year. I think we ride out the D as is, when Staal can join the team, he does. Hopefully someone out of Girardi, Baranka, Lampman, or Pock can knock Malik out of the lineup, and it will be addition by subtraction.
I would go with the best player available theory. Not much for centers out there, Rumors that Stuart might be available would put him in my mind as the best choice. I am counting Forsberg out as I can't see Philly trading with the Rangers.
Saying that if a great center, Jokinen, Nagy, Cammelleri become available, I would be all over them first.
2nd line center to get Shanny going. Our D has been passable lately, we're just not getting enough goals.
P.S. Why does everyone keep saying that Philly won't deal with the Rangers. Doesn't anybody remember the Lindros deal? That had more potential to backfire on the Flyers than dealing Forsberg would.
plus lunqdvist is on fire and doesnt seem to be slowing down. ride the wave people! Gimme someone that can do one of those jagr behind the back no look passes only with looking and not behind the back, and we're golden.
The center. I think we have kids in Hartford who are close enough to fill some of the gaps on defense--at least not be much worse than some of the D we have now.
I'm going to say the defenseman. I think a top defenseman can make a big difference on this team, and stabilize the situation for Lundy/Weekes in net. Lets face it, the defense has been pretty unstable for most of the season, and a top flite player back there changes the dynamic on defense AND offense. I also think a top Dman is a HUGE priority for the next several years of this franchises success with all the young Dmen in the organization!
I would go with the best player available theory. Not much for centers out there, Rumors that Stuart might be available would put him in my mind as the best choice. I am counting Forsberg out as I can't see Philly trading with the Rangers.
Saying that if a great center, Jokinen, Nagy, Cammelleri become available, I would be all over them first.
if he was available...doubt florida would deal him considering he's one of their few assets (Bouwmeester and Horton being the others). but if he was i would definitely give up a package centered around Montoya, excluding Staal and Dubi.
I offer Nagy and Perreault. What do you offer in return?
Honestly, you're most likely expecting Prucha, right? I'm not disputing he would not be part of a fair package, but management will be resolute about not trading him for two soon to be FA's. (Nagy is a UFA for sure, isn't Perrault as well?) Nagy seems like he will make a package deal extremely expensive, and I'm not sold on him as a playoff type of player.
if he was available...doubt florida would deal him considering he's one of their few assets (Bouwmeester and Horton being the others). but if he was i would definitely give up a package centered around Montoya, excluding Staal and Dubi.
i agreee on not giving up staal but why not dubi if its olli in return
