Next Seasons Needs/Team Future

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

i don't think legwand resigns....where's he gonna play with z,d, helm and weiss back?

We better sign Legwand. I hope we didn't pay what we did for 20 games....

[Shinzaki 72]

Please don't resign Alfie....he's shot.

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Please don't resign Alfie....he's shot.

That game against Edmonton he was sooooo bad. But earlier in the year he played very well with good line mates and put up points.

[Guest DeGraa55]

It'll be closer to 5 mil after Holland resign: Quincey, Cleary, Bert, Sammy, Alife, and Legwand... God I wish I was joking but you know some of them will get resigned. *shakes head*

.

A part of my just died a little...cause we all know a majority will be brought back forcing half the guys who deserve to be in team like Sheahan for example will be back in GR.

[rick zombo 3,739]

.

A part of my just died a little...cause we all know a majority will be brought back forcing half the guys who deserve to be in team like Sheahan for example will be back in GR.

Sheahan is out of waiver options next year. Like Tatar was this year.

I know we all hate Ken Holland but unless you’re unaware of next year’s logistics, your statement seems a little over the top.

[Guest DeGraa55]

Sheahan is out of waiver options next year. Like Tatar was this year.

I know we all hate Ken Holland but unless youre unaware of next years logistics, your statement seems a little over the top.

Well it was kind of a joke because really none of the ufas should be back because we have younger guys that needs to be on the roster. And it's nothing against the ufas I like legwand for example but we have enough centers without z playing center way too many with him at center(which I personally want him at).

[kipwinger 8,522]

You know, to be honest maybe missing the playoffs isn't the worst thing in the world. I personally don't give a sh*t about "the streak". I'll be bummed that I won't get to watch hockey as long this year, but other than that I think it's a good thing. I'm sick of watching us make the playoffs only to get beat prior to the conference finals. This team is in serious need of some house cleaning. If ending "the streak" doesn't motivate the brass to do that, then I don't know what will. Plus, it will give Holland the excuse he clearly needs to cut some of these guys loose. "Sorry Dano, we'd love to re-sign you but after last season we're forced to take a hard look at our team and we've decided to move in a different direction".

Let the expiring contracts go. Promote the four kids to full time, thus putting us in good cap position. And make decisions on those guys who are only marginal...e.g. Kindl, Andersson, Glendening, etc. If you don't want them, trade them for whatever you can get and put all the savings toward fixing the problems that you can. Here's what I'd like to see, but this is only me...

Zetterberg-Dats-?

Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Miller-Helm-Abby

Kronwall-Ericsson

?-Dekeyser

Smith-Lashoff

Howard

Finally, something to ponder. The free agent class is thin, but we do legitimately need a top six winger who isn't a converted center. This won't be popular, but I'd consider either Gaborik or Heatly as a stop gap measure PROVIDED they weren't signed long term and took modest pay reductions...which might not be a hard sell considering Heatly's production has dipped in recent years and Gaborik has been hurt. No more than two years at 5.75 for either of them. Like I said, it won't be popular but it wouldn't cost us assets and there's no sense just sitting on the money.

I don't know what's available on defense, but probably a stop gap there too unless Buffalo wants to unload Erhoff before free agency.

Edited March 18, 2014 by kipwinger

[Dave 324]

You know, to be honest maybe missing the playoffs isn't the worst thing in the world. I personally don't give a sh*t about "the streak". I'll be bummed that I won't get to watch hockey as long this year, but other than that I think it's a good thing. I'm sick of watching us make the playoffs only to get beat prior to the conference finals. This team is in serious need of some house cleaning. If ending "the streak" doesn't motivate the brass to do that, then I don't know what will. Plus, it will give Holland the excuse he clearly needs to cut some of these guys loose. "Sorry Dano, we'd love to re-sign you but after last season we're forced to take a hard look at our team and we've decided to move in a different direction".

Let the expiring contracts go. Promote the four kids to full time, thus putting us in good cap position. And make decisions on those guys who are only marginal...e.g. Kindl, Andersson, Glendening, etc. If you don't want them, trade them for whatever you can get and put all the savings toward fixing the problems that you can. Here's what I'd like to see, but this is only me...

Zetterberg-Dats-?

Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Miller-Helm-Abby

Kronwall-Ericsson

?-Dekeyser

Smith-Lashoff

Howard

Finally, something to ponder. The free agent class is thin, but we do legitimately need a top six winger who isn't a converted center. This won't be popular, but I'd consider either Gaborik or Heatly as a stop gap measure PROVIDED they weren't signed long term and took modest pay reductions...which might not be a hard sell considering Heatly's production has dipped in recent years and Gaborik has been hurt. No more than two years at 5.75 for either of them. Like I said, it won't be popular but it wouldn't cost us assets and there's no sense just sitting on the money.

I don't know what's available on defense, but probably a stop gap there too unless Buffalo wants to unload Erhoff before free agency.

I don't like either Heatly or Gaborik on that first line, but I looked at the pending UFA list and man, not a lot of options.

As for D, based on this year, Niskanen is by far the best option. He might want to get really get paid, though.

[frankgrimes 1,836]

You know, to be honest maybe missing the playoffs isn't the worst thing in the world. I personally don't give a sh*t about "the streak". I'll be bummed that I won't get to watch hockey as long this year, but other than that I think it's a good thing. I'm sick of watching us make the playoffs only to get beat prior to the conference finals. This team is in serious need of some house cleaning. If ending "the streak" doesn't motivate the brass to do that, then I don't know what will. Plus, it will give Holland the excuse he clearly needs to cut some of these guys loose. "Sorry Dano, we'd love to re-sign you but after last season we're forced to take a hard look at our team and we've decided to move in a different direction".

Thats exactly what some of us were saying for a few years now. The streak is incredible impressive but I would gladly see it ending if it means serious house cleaning. I guess Burke once said making the playoffs is nice but getting your ass kicked by the top seeds isn't and that's exactly what would happen if this team faces Boston or Pittsburgh. The bigger issue for me though would be Holland his "without our injuries we would have been cup contenders look at what this injury hurt team accomplished!" - no more of that please.

Please don't re-sign Alfie, Clearly, Berutzzi, Sammuelson..Legwand only if the term is right, period.

As for forwards I think Moulson would be a nice choice, cheaper and younger as Vanek and could provide a nice stop gap. He did very well with Tavares so I am sure he could do well with Z or Pasha too but the biggest need will be size and defense and of course no one of any interest is available

[kipwinger 8,522]

I don't like either Heatly or Gaborik on that first line, but I looked at the pending UFA list and man, not a lot of options.

As for D, based on this year, Niskanen is by far the best option. He might want to get really get paid, though.

I mean, I agree with you. I'm not really in love with it either, but we need wingers with legit top six talent who aren't 400 years old and there aren't many out there. I want to emphasize again that I'd only want them as stop gap measures short term and cheaper than they're currently signed for. Like everyone else, ideally I'd like a young power forward. But considering you'd have to give a lot to get one, and that really isn't Holland's M.O. I'm just going to assume he'll stick with aging retreads. As far as aging retreads go, Gaborik and Heatly are at the top of my list.

[LeftWinger 4,958]

I do agree with the stop gap idea, but it may be needed for two to three years instead of one. Also, stop gap on the D is a great solution as well. I keep mentioning Morris and Mitchell, only as examples, just to get my point across. Sign them both to 2 year deals (ditch Kindl) and they would be a great defensive stop gap while Sproul, Ouellet, Marchenko learn the NHL game with tons of time in GR and spot duty in Detroit.

I still think Holland should dangle that 1st round pick out there this June. With the likelihood of it being a top 10, I think the return could help us out tremendously! More so than drafting a player at that spot. I could get on board with a Heatley signing as well. But the problem we are going to have is, at the forward position, not even including the UFA's (which I would only want Legwand back) we will need to add by subtraction first. Too many forwards already and more coming without exemptions.

I have not been one to beat the "Trade Weiss" drum, but with Legwand, I think Weiss could be asked to waive his NTC and submit a few teams he would be willing to go to. I think he would be a nice fit in Vancouver, although they are also in turmoil. I don't mention Vancouver because of the Kesler aspect either, but I could see possibly a trade for a Burrows and or Edler. Wonder what would have to be added to a package of our 1st and Weiss in order to land Edler and Burrows? I am sure it would cost more, but what really? We still have too many centers and even if Weiss were to be traded, there is still Andersson, Ferraro and Helm that would all be vying for that 4th line center.

Not sure if we'd have enough cap room, but what a different team this would be with Burrows, Edler, Heatley, Morris and Mitchell on it. We would actually need to get a better back up goalie too (less injury prone.) I also would try to send Franzen to Vancouver in that package and just re-sign Alfie for the same cap hit as Franzen...

to VAN: Stephan Weiss, Johan Franzen, 1st round pick. (What else? Almqvist?)

to DET: Alex Edler, Alex Burrows, maybe a draft pick in return.

sign Healtey, Morris and Mitchell. Trade off Kindl and possibly Andersson or Ferraro.

that would give Vancouver a nice top line of Sedin - Sedin - Franzen and a second line of Booth - Weiss - Kesler (unless they trade him)

[VM1138 1,921]

Just put Weiss on thr Wing and Helm on the fourth and we'll be set. I'd rather they not go after a top 6 guy. Tatar and Nyquist should be ready for that role next season. Unless we have to trade a top 6 guy for a top 2 defenseman, then we'd need a replacement.

[LeftWinger 4,958]

I can agree with that too! Besides, I have been working with capgeek regarding my scenario, and with modest raises and the trades I suggested, I cannot fit all under $68M...if we still had $71M then that would work out...oh well...

[number9 3,297]

I mean, I agree with you. I'm not really in love with it either, but we need wingers with legit top six talent who aren't 400 years old and there aren't many out there. I want to emphasize again that I'd only want them as stop gap measures short term and cheaper than they're currently signed for. Like everyone else, ideally I'd like a young power forward. But considering you'd have to give a lot to get one, and that really isn't Holland's M.O. I'm just going to assume he'll stick with aging retreads. As far as aging retreads go, Gaborik and Heatly are at the top of my list.

Kip I almost always agree with u but NO MORE FORWARDS

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Jurco will be the young power forward. If he's up full time playing on a scoring line next year hell score 25 goals and be in the top 3 in hits.

[number9 3,297]

Jurco will be the young power forward. If he's up full time playing on a scoring line next year hell score 25 goals and be in the top 3 in hits.

Really? He's not a hitter IMO

[RedWang 422]

I want to see Jurco Sheahan Pulkinnen all put on 20lbs this offseason with a strength coach, then up full time next year.

Those 3 are gonna be something special if given the right training/opportunities.

Z-Dats-Alfie

Nyquist-Leggy-Mule

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Pulkinnen-Weiss-Abby

Andy,helm,bert,cleary,miller,glend,sammy are all useless/old/untalented and can go as far as im concerned.

[Buppy 1,720]

You know, to be honest maybe missing the playoffs isn't the worst thing in the world. I personally don't give a sh*t about "the streak". I'll be bummed that I won't get to watch hockey as long this year, but other than that I think it's a good thing. I'm sick of watching us make the playoffs only to get beat prior to the conference finals. This team is in serious need of some house cleaning. If ending "the streak" doesn't motivate the brass to do that, then I don't know what will. Plus, it will give Holland the excuse he clearly needs to cut some of these guys loose. "Sorry Dano, we'd love to re-sign you but after last season we're forced to take a hard look at our team and we've decided to move in a different direction".

Let the expiring contracts go. Promote the four kids to full time, thus putting us in good cap position. And make decisions on those guys who are only marginal...e.g. Kindl, Andersson, Glendening, etc. If you don't want them, trade them for whatever you can get and put all the savings toward fixing the problems that you can. Here's what I'd like to see, but this is only me...

Zetterberg-Dats-?

Franzen-Weiss-Nyquist

Tatar-Sheahan-Jurco

Miller-Helm-Abby

Kronwall-Ericsson

?-Dekeyser

Smith-Lashoff

Howard

Finally, something to ponder. The free agent class is thin, but we do legitimately need a top six winger who isn't a converted center. This won't be popular, but I'd consider either Gaborik or Heatly as a stop gap measure PROVIDED they weren't signed long term and took modest pay reductions...which might not be a hard sell considering Heatly's production has dipped in recent years and Gaborik has been hurt. No more than two years at 5.75 for either of them. Like I said, it won't be popular but it wouldn't cost us assets and there's no sense just sitting on the money.

I don't know what's available on defense, but probably a stop gap there too unless Buffalo wants to unload Erhoff before free agency.

I don't think missing the playoffs or not will have any impact on our organizational philosophy. And given the lack of changes in your lineup, it seems you don't even want it to. Changing two spots in the lineup isn't really a serious house cleaning, especially if your just swapping one past-his-prime vet for a different past-his-prime vet.

But I too like the stop-gap approach, especially on defense, though I think we need two (replacing Q and Kindl, pushing Lashoff into the 7 spot). I wouldn't want Jurco up to start next year unless he can prove he'd be better than any potential UFA, or we make a trade that opens up a spot. Barring trades, I think we have two forward spots for one year (placeholders for Jurco and Pulkkinen), though I think we can be flexible there if we can land someone good. On defense, two spots for two years. More only if it's someone better than what we think Smith will be.

[kipwinger 8,522]

I don't think missing the playoffs or not will have any impact on our organizational philosophy. And given the lack of changes in your lineup, it seems you don't even want it to. Changing two spots in the lineup isn't really a serious house cleaning, especially if your just swapping one past-his-prime vet for a different past-his-prime vet.

But I too like the stop-gap approach, especially on defense, though I think we need two (replacing Q and Kindl, pushing Lashoff into the 7 spot). I wouldn't want Jurco up to start next year unless he can prove he'd be better than any potential UFA, or we make a trade that opens up a spot. Barring trades, I think we have two forward spots for one year (placeholders for Jurco and Pulkkinen), though I think we can be flexible there if we can land someone good. On defense, two spots for two years. More only if it's someone better than what we think Smith will be.

I guess I should have been more clear, my (tongue in cheek) comment about moving in a different direction was in reference to a hypothetical excuse to break Dan Cleary's heart, not actually change how we play hockey. I don't expect missing the playoffs to change our organizational philosophy, but rather I hope it's used as an opportunity to reduce redundancy and hash out roles. Figure out which three of Helm, Andersson, Sheahan, Glendening, and Emmerton you want to keep and let the others go. Figure out whether you want Zetterberg to permanently move to the wing or not. Figure out whether you want Weiss or Legwand or both (one on the wing? Ugh). Identify whether Abby's going to be a top six forward or a grinder. Jurco up or down? Tatar into the top six or sign a UFA? Kindl's future? Gustavsson's future? These sorts of things. Then make stop-gap moves accordingly.

Letting Cleary, Bert, Sammy, Quincey, Etc. walk is a no-brainer, but we've still got a lot to sort out regardless.

Edited March 18, 2014 by kipwinger

[wings87 1,290]

A stopgap will help next year but I'm so sick of stop gaps. It seems like that's all Hollands been doing for years now. Holland needs to stop with the facelifts and get a new face.

Pav and Z aren't getting any younger and the window to win another cup is closing fast. Pav hasnt had a pure scorer to play with since Hull, and the D has struggled to put up points ever since Rafalski retired. This team has been begging for an overhaul for years, and maybe after this disastrous season things will change...

But probably not since Holland will blame the year on injuries and sign some more "veterans."

[rick zombo 3,739]

Really? He's not a hitter IMO

Jurco actually hits a lot. I think he's great on the boards.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Really? He's not a hitter IMO

Jurco actually hits a lot. I think he's great on the boards.

54 hits 26 games

[number9 3,297]

Jurco - 54 hits in 26 games

You guys are right, he hits more than I thought he did.

He's on pace for 170 hits in a full regular season. Gotta think he can get over 200 in a season with more icetime

EDIT: Just saw your post Dickie

Edited March 18, 2014 by number9

[RedWang 422]

Tis y he needs offseason strength training. If he fills out that frame....boy oh boy...powerforward much?

[rick zombo 3,739]

Jurco - 54 hits in 26 games

You guys are right, he hits more than I thought he did.

He's on pace for 170 hits in a full regular season. Gotta think he can get over 200 in a season with more icetime

EDIT: Just saw your post Dickie

Exactly.

3rd behind Abby and Tootoo behind hits/per/game and hits/per/every 60 minutes played.

Tis y he needs offseason strength training. If he fills out that frame....boy oh boy...powerforward much?

He will fill out. Both he a Sheahan. Exciting to think about.