Lets look at Volchenkov closely. He is lefty. Not exactly fast, just like Schultz with shorter reach (he is like 6'0"). Where should we use him? As #2RD? He's playing RD in Ottawa. Would it be better to move him in 1st pair and left that #2RD to Carlson?
Basically, we have 6 slots. Green is locked.
? - Green
? - ?
? - Carlson
Schultz could be like #1LD (not the best solution imho) or #2LD.
That and Volchenkov signing would get Poti or Carlson out of top4.
That would make harder time for Alzner to get in roster.
Also, we have Erskine and Sloan on contracts. And both are LD.
Also! Volchenkov will want like 5-6 years of contract. And with all concerns about his health... it is a big gamble that could be getting into BAD CONTRACT. Am I stressing it too much?
And one more question. What kind of player do you guys want to be our #1LD? I think someone like Alzner could be good, but just 2 more years seasoned Alzner If you still believe in him. Fast, disciplined, positionally sound. He will put on more muscle and learn how to play in the system properly (positioned at LD).
Basically I want to say that we should have clear space at #2RD slot in 2011/2012 for even more developed Carlson... and we lack #3RD already. And clear cap-space for him and others.
Hoarding LD even more with Volchenkov and his long expensive contract... isn't exactly ideal solution.
Better to have more cap-space before trade deadline next year in case we'll need a goalie or smth else.
Heck, maybe even better to get Tyutin instead of Volchenkov. Or Kaberle for next season only. Alzner-Kaberle, Poti-Carlson. Kaberle-Carlson will make 8M of free cap-space in summer 2011.
PS: I'd love to see Volchenkov in our colors though =)
I think, IF the team is pursing someone like Volchenkov, it means they're ready to cut ties with Poti.
With that in mind, you probably see something like:
Volchenkov/FA - Green
Schultz - Carlson
Alzner - Jurcina/Corvo/FA
I have trouble believing the team would go out and get someone like Volchenkov with the primary intention of playing him on the right side. in a pinch, sure, but I think if they're looking for a left D its because they see an opening on the left side.
Maybe, but the type of game he plays is tailored to curing what ails the Caps in their present top-heavy iteration.
Time will tell what they might try. If the Caps win the Cup with an offense-heavy approach, then screw it. Shop for another forward and a pox on all the so-called experts who predict doom and gloom for a loose team that doesn't really match lines and just sends out offensively-created forwards and offensemen every shift.
Yet if they blow it, and it looks like defensive shortcomings are the culprit, then I think Volchenkov will look attractive as hell for McPhee.
is there a better way of phrasing that? i thought we were all doing some damage control on mike green's public image here....
I have no problem with Schultz. I think they are a good pairing.
I dont fall into the Schultz sucks, Poti sucks, Corvo sucks, Erskine sucks, Mo sucks and is overpaid and Carlson's a god catagory.
I have no problem with Schultz. I think they are a good pairing.
I dont fall into the Schultz sucks, Poti sucks, Corvo sucks, Erskine sucks, Mo sucks and is overpaid and Carlson's a god catagory.
i believe he was referring to the long term partner, with emphasis on partner. . . not that they will be on the same line together.
I thought again about Volchenkov in another way. We are projecting him by his performance in another system. He defends against Ovie and we call him great! What he will do when we need him to cover Ovie?!
At Olympics Anton was paired with Kalinin... and Kalinin was better I think. Overall they were okish but not that brilliant, especially then they we 4th pair.
So Volchenkov isn't puck mover, but is one of the hardest D-men and on of the best in OK. At 4M longterm - good. Closer to 5M... fail it seems.
I really like that Michalek guy too. No idea what he wants, whether he wants to go anywhere, whether he's hungry for a contender, etc. Just love his game.
Doom and gloom, guys, but spending 5 million on Volchenkov would be a waste of money. He's a player that, to me, perfectly fits the system they have running in Ottawa, but I can't be assured that he would be able to do the exact same thing here.
Disclaimer: This isn't to say he wouldn't be good, just not AS good.
Obviously Volchenkov isn't going to suddenly start shying away from shots to block, but the system in Ottawa is great at playing physical and eating up shots, and the entire team commits to it. Anton would do just fine, and I really want to see him here, but maybe there are better players out there to fit the system and still provide a large improvement.
I really like that Michalek guy too. No idea what he wants, whether he wants to go anywhere, whether he's hungry for a contender, etc. Just love his game.
I'm a fan, too.
In terms of the future, one has to take into account the season Phoenix has had. I have a hard time seeing GM Maloney doing anything other than trying to keep him; perhaps he is considering re-signing but is waiting to see if they are staying/stability for the organization...no way to know. I imagine he has to be looking forward to playing in the NHL playoffs for the first time in a few weeks.
Pending UFA defenseman Paul Martin... am I crazy to think Devils fans are guilty of wishful thinking to toss around numbers like $4.5M, $5M per season for this player on the UFA market? He's a $6M+ guy to many teams, I would imagine.
Pending UFA defenseman Paul Martin... am I crazy to think Devils fans are guilty of wishful thinking to toss around numbers like $4.5M, $5M per season for this player on the UFA market? He's a $6M+ guy to many teams, I would imagine.
I've seen some of those posts, but I've seen plenty of Devils fans' posts where they are aware of the fact that Martin's current year salary, $4.5M.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Martin this summer, but a lot of the current talk is based on Everson's article yesterday and that's not a good foundation to start discussion, IMO, about anything related to the Devils.
If you still believe in him. Fast, disciplined, positionally sound. He will put on more muscle and learn how to play in the system properly (positioned at LD).
is there a better way of phrasing that? i thought we were all doing some damage control on mike green's public image here....
