SwedeLundin77

No news about Faulk it seems.

If we are entertaining Nyquist and/or Athanasiou (before the season)... Bertuzzi-Larkin-Mantha (grinder/net front presence-playmaker-sniper/power forward) Nyquist-Zetterberg-Svechnikov (playmaker-playmaker-power forward/sniper) Rasmussen-Nielsen-Abdelkader (power forward/net front-playmaker-grinder) *I would prefer Helm on this line over Abdelkader Turgeon-Glendening-Helm (grinders with a little playmaking ability (Turgeon & Helm)) Witkowski (waste of a roster spot) This is not to say that I don't agree that we should look into trading Svechnikov if it nets us something we need (defense, good pick).

You can’t say how Svech or Ras will do, plain and simple. If you keep handing over roles to old vets and keep pushing back a youth movement, you do a disservice to the rebuild.

Simon Despres is interested in getting back into the NHL. Says he’ll do whatever it takes, money is not an issue, and that he’ll even entertain starting in the AHL if he has to. He’s 26, good sized, defensive, and sounds like he’s done a lot to come back from his concussion issues a few seasons back. If I’m Kenny, I at least try to lock him down in GR.

Wayne Simmonds is the right-handed shot Detroit deserves, but not the one they need right now.

I don't think it'd be enough. Even if it was enough, I wouldn't make that trade. Karlsson is 28, will cost them a fortune in a year, and they won't be relevant again until he's in his 30's.

Double lazy. You're on double secret probation, sir! I'm sorry but Witko is Worthless.

Just a lazy response right there. If Holland doesn't, at the very least, pursue Trotz and make an offer, then he's crazy.

Russo got a look in 2016/17 and he was invisible. He played in 19 games where he registered 0 points, 2 PIM, and a +2. I remember watching him and half the time I didn't even know he was out there because he did absolutely nothing to impress. I'm fairly certain the coaching staff thought the same thing. Talk to me when Hicketts gets a 19 game stint. Another example of how success at the AHL level doesn't necessarily translate to the NHL. I am right there with @krsmith17 in believing that strong play in training camp and preseason ought to be rewarded with playing time during the regular season, but that I am not saying that I believe Hicketts will be anything more than a 5/6 in the NHL, if that. His games played last season, to me, prove he deserves a longer look. What better a time than when we are in a rebuild to truly evaluate your talent at the NHL level.

Hard to follow? We've already laid out our argument for Hicketts getting a shot.

We have and you’re wrong on this one. But that’s okay, you’ll get used to it.

Agreed. Our defense is seriously lacking size in the pipeline. Hughes is tempting just because his scouting report shows he has elite level skating, agility, and playmaking skill. I do hope we go with Bouchard or Dobson, however.

You're splitting hairs because I or you or anyone else aren't any better at evaluating talent. We see what we see and dig into the stats as best we can. Krs and I just happen to believe that Hicketts has proven he should get a shot on the team now. It's an opinion, nothing else. You and CRL act like we are calling Hicketts an all-star defenseman when we've both clarified that we believe he's a 5/6 guy. Doesn't change the fact that he was one of the more impactful players in the handful of games he played last season, proving that he deserves a longer look this upcoming season. Every team needs 5/6 guys and rebuilding teams need to give their young guys when they've shown they are ready, a chance to continue to show they are ready in an extended capacity, no matter what line they may end up on. I think that's a definite no. Horvat is a few years older and I don't believe (correct me if I'm wrong) he's as dynamic a player as Larkin is. I feel like Larkin's ceiling is higher. It is nice, if true, that offers are coming in and it shows Vancouver's willingness to part with the #7

Couldn't have stated this any better. I think it may be time to just ignore the "negative brigade."

Yeah, I think he has the potential to step right into the NHL this upcoming season.

So, we could totally be looking at other players and the only ones mentioned are the only ones the team has let on about, but I hope if we are looking at adding a UFA forward this year, we at least consider options that may actually sign here (outside of Vanek). Why not consider the following players as well (on short-term deals): Rick Nash - 20 to 30 goal scorer Paul Stastny - 15 to 25 goal scorer and a reliable Center James Neal - 20 to 30 goal scorer James van Riemsdyk - 30+ goal scorer Michael Grabner - 20 to 30 goal scorer and inexpensive I have to imagine that Neal and van Riemsdyk stay put, but who knows. I'm hoping we, maybe, strike gold with one of these free agent signings like Rybar, too. At least in a backup capacity. It would be nice to have his numbers or someone like him translate to the NHL.

I don't feel the same about the backup goalie. I would like for them to get someone who can maybe stick around as the goaltending is such a weak spot in the near future for this team. I'd almost prefer someone younger like Bernier who we can maybe ink to a 2-year deal since he's shown he can play more than just backup minutes. Otherwise, I could see Holland extending Howard, and I really don't want Howard here after his contract expires... He is the same story every year... plays well to start the season, gets hurt, then comes back and plays poorly the rest of the way. I could maybe see him coming back if it's for 2.5 per on a short-term deal. Frk is more of an NHLer than Pulkkinen will ever be. Called that one wrong.

Damn, I was hoping we'd make a move for Domi.

Yeah, "overripe" only makes sense when you're a contender.

Exactly my thoughts.. some people act like we are calling Hicketts an all-star, we're not. But when you have a guy who they've already said is knocking on the door, you are rebuilding, and you are looking at forking over 5-6 million for Green... it's not even a matter of who is on the team right now, it's a matter of stopping the young guy (Hicketts, Hronek, Sulak, Cholowski) from gaining playing time. Sure you can say you don't want to be any worse than last season and that Green is a good guy to shepherd a young guy like Hronek, but unless they are willing to move Ouellet AND Jensen, it's moot because there won't be a spot for Hronek. And, honestly, I'd rather they do everything they can to move Ericsson over Jensen. They already have 4 veterans... putting 2 young guys in there should be a positive, especially when those young guys appear to be ready or near ready. This isn't a playoff team anymore, the rules have to adjust for different scenarios.

I have zero issue getting Kovy on this team since he'll only bring assets at the deadline. Kovy isn't coming here, but asset collection is imperative during a rebuild.

Vegas, Leafs, Devils, Wild, Bruins, Predators, Kings, Sharks, Rangers (fringe) all, seemingly, have caps space for such a contract.

Russo had a 19 game stint in the NHL that very season where he produced 0 points. Was he snubbed? No. That was a different circumstance that season as they were still trying to keep the streak alive for one. The D was spread out as well: DeKeyser - 82 games Green - 72 games Ouellet - 66 games Kronwall - 57 games Ericsson - 51 games Jensen - 49 games Smith - 33 games Marchenko - 30 games Sproul - 27 games Russo - 19 games Renouf - 1 game It was a mess, and if they didn't have this logjam, I would definitely have voted for him to start the season up. But I remember watching him play in those 19 games and he was barely noticeable out there. Hicketts I, at least, noticed in the 5 games he played last season. Again, you have pretty much agreed that he should get an 82 game trial to see if he can "keep up." * Obviously if he isn't up to snuff, he's sent down during the season (not saying he should be up for 82 games regardless).

I don't think they want both. I think Kovalchuk is who Holland wants bad and Vanek would be the consolation prize. I get what they're trying to do in a) giving the young guys proven goal scorers to play off of and b) not be any worse than last season so that the fans don't become disinterested. What they're missing is that fans will become EVEN more disinterested if management keeps pushing back the youth movement for UFA older vets and the rebuild lasts a few more years than it should. I guess. Unless Holland is planning on moving out some contracts, I don't know how he is going to stick to what he said earlier in the spring about bringing in 3-5 young guys. Yeah, Bylsma seems like the best choice at this point in time. I've heard some rumblings about how he isn't a "players coach," but unless they find a more unknown guy, I don't know what else they'd do. Agree about Green. I was hoping it'd be down around 4-4.5 per, max. I'd rather they just let him walk and keep Jensen and bring up one of the young guys, or trade Jensen and bring up Hicketts and Hronek.

No. He should have made last years roster based on how well he did the previous AHL His 16/17 season was solid. The past is the past, though, so I'm agreeing with what Khan said about keeping up with a full 82 game NHL season this year. Which is why I hope they deal Jensen and/or find a way to part with E so that he can play.