Do we need a trade to get our offence going ?

[Yzerfan87 146]

Ekman-Larsson just scored his eleventh goal of the season. One of the few players I'd give up Tatar to get.

Ekman-Larsson will take way more than Tats. Probably Tats, Mantha, Smith and a high pick. The guy is a future star and Arizona will/should build around him. They won't trade him for anything that they can't build a competitive team around.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Also, I don't get why Pulkkinen is the guy everyone is throwing in trade scenarios. I get that we have a ton of other guys coming but he should be one of the last guys we consider trading at this point in my opinion.

Regardless of what fans think of him, the reality is that Pulkinnen is a second tier prospect who is most likely still viewed as a guy who is far from a sure fire NHL player and who needs to prove that he can do more than shoot the puck at the NHL level. I know the feeling around here is that he's going to be some kind of second coming of Brett Hull and score 50 goals a year, but he's far more likely to top out as a 20-25 goal PP specialist playing on the 3rd line.

[kipwinger 8,492]

Regardless of what fans think of him, the reality is that Pulkinnen is a second tier prospect who is most likely still viewed as a guy who is far from a sure fire NHL player and who needs to prove that he can do more than shoot the puck at the NHL level. I know the feeling around here is that he's going to be some kind of second coming of Brett Hull and score 50 goals a year, but he's far more likely to top out as a 20-25 goal PP specialist playing on the 3rd line.

So, Michael Ryder? I can live with that.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Regardless of what fans think of him, the reality is that Pulkinnen is a second tier prospect who is most likely still viewed as a guy who is far from a sure fire NHL player and who needs to prove that he can do more than shoot the puck at the NHL level. I know the feeling around here is that he's going to be some kind of second coming of Brett Hull and score 50 goals a year, but he's far more likely to top out as a 20-25 goal PP specialist playing on the 3rd line.

No sane poster on here is thinking this... at all. People are excited about a RH shot who fits in a pure sniper mold. I don't think people being excited means they're delusional. I'm certainly not - your 20-25 goal estimation is probably pretty likely, but I think he could push for 2nd line at times. I agree he probably doesn't have all the tools to be a true top 6 player, though.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Let me make one thing clear. I'm not comparing Pulkkinen to the likes of Hull, Stamkos and Ovechkin, because of the numbers he is going to put up in his career, I am simply comparing the way they all shoot the puck. His shot rivals all of these guys in my opinion. What you described is pretty much exactly what I am expecting Pulkkinen to become, a 2nd or 3rd line winger, that is a serious weapon on the power-play. Although I expect him to be able to put up 30-35 goals, I think 25-30 would be great as well. He should be a 50+ point guy at the NHL level in a few years.

[Andy Pred 48 337]

Regardless of what fans think of him, the reality is that Pulkinnen is a second tier prospect who is most likely still viewed as a guy who is far from a sure fire NHL player and who needs to prove that he can do more than shoot the puck at the NHL level. I know the feeling around here is that he's going to be some kind of second coming of Brett Hull and score 50 goals a year, but he's far more likely to top out as a 20-25 goal PP specialist playing on the 3rd line.

that would do for me Dickie, any guy scoring 20-25 on the 3rd line would be a godsend

[DickieDunn 2,571]

So why the %@$# is he "untouchable?"

[kipwinger 8,492]

So why the %@$# is he "untouchable?"

For my part, I've never said he was untouchable and have demonstrably proposed many trade scenarios in which he is included.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I think it's pretty clear why he is on my "untouchable list". I think he's the real deal. In fact, in a couple years from now, I expect him to surpass Tatar, but that's just my opinion.

I don't get why it's so hard to understand why he should be untouchable. He brings something no one else does in our entire system. Same reason why Sproul is untouchable, he brings a completely different element than any of our other defenders in our system.

You don't have to agree, but that's my take on why he should be "untouchable". I just hope Holland shares the same opinion, and holds on to him...

[e_prime 1,936]

So why the %@$# is he "untouchable?"

All this "touching" talk:

[number9 3,297]

Regardless of what fans think of him, the reality is that Pulkinnen is a second tier prospect who is most likely still viewed as a guy who is far from a sure fire NHL player and who needs to prove that he can do more than shoot the puck at the NHL level. I know the feeling around here is that he's going to be some kind of second coming of Brett Hull and score 50 goals a year, but he's far more likely to top out as a 20-25 goal PP specialist playing on the 3rd line.

He's arguably the best player - other than a few KHL stars - outside of the NHL right now. You don't have to be one of the best snipers of all time to be untouchable in this league. Any comparison to hull, other than being in general a sniper, is completely off base Edited January 9, 2015 by number9

[DickieDunn 2,571]

I think it's pretty clear why he is on my "untouchable list". I think he's the real deal. In fact, in a couple years from now, I expect him to surpass Tatar, but that's just my opinion.

I don't get why it's so hard to understand why he should be untouchable. He brings something no one else does in our entire system. Same reason why Sproul is untouchable, he brings a completely different element than any of our other defenders in our system.

You don't have to agree, but that's my take on why he should be "untouchable". I just hope Holland shares the same opinion, and holds on to him...

Slapshot or not he's still projected as more of a PP specialist. That's not untouchable.

[number9 3,297]

Slapshot or not he's still projected as more of a PP specialist. That's not untouchable.

He was projected to be a "secondary-scorer" and "PP specialist" when he was drafted and during his time in Europe because he was a "bad skater" and had "questionable work ethic".

I don't know where you've been, but that pretty much all went out the window the moment he touched NA ice. He's the most dominant prospect in the entire AHL, especially at his age. He has tremendous work ethic, skating, sense, and natural ability. He's pretty much going down the exact same road as Nyquist.

He's definitely a coveted prospect at this point that probably has a 99.99% of not being traded.

[PavelValerievichDatsyuk 1,935]

He was projected to be a "secondary-scorer" and "PP specialist" when he was drafted and during his time in Europe because he was a "bad skater" and had "questionable work ethic".

I don't know where you've been, but that pretty much all went out the window the moment he touched NA ice. He's the most dominant prospect in the entire AHL, especially at his age. He has tremendous work ethic, skating, sense, and natural ability. He's pretty much going down the exact same road as Nyquist.

He's definitely a coveted prospect at this point that probably has a 99.99% of not being traded.

And set a record for GR rookie scoring last year. Leads AHL in goals. currently tied record games with consecutive games with a goal. He does seem to be a special player.

We've had this argument on the board with Dickie in the past over Mantha, Tatar, Mrazek... I think he more disagrees with the idea that any prospect shouldn't be considered for trades. It's a valid stand point - valuing proven talent always at the expense of potential. I think our recent history of success with our prospects should be a lesson against that maxim, though.

If I've read your stance wrong, Dickie. apologies

Edited January 9, 2015 by PavelValerievichDatsyuk

[krsmith17 7,191]

Dickie, I've asked you this one time before, and it's a serious question. Do you watch Griffins games? I watch a lot and I can tell you that his stats are not just because of his slap shot. He is not a flash in the pan, he is the real deal. Why would you want to trade that? Other than a right handed, offensive defenseman, what is the teams biggest need? A right handed, right wing sniper, that loves to shoot the puck. But yeah, I get it, we should trade the ONE we have in the entire system.....

[Dabura 12,206]

Ekman-Larsson will take way more than Tats. Probably Tats, Mantha, Smith and a high pick. The guy is a future star and Arizona will/should build around him. They won't trade him for anything that they can't build a competitive team around.

I'm saying he's one of the few players who could get me to part with Tatar. I think it goes without saying that he'd cost far more than just Tatar.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Pull was projected to be a a secondary scorer if he improved his defense and skating. He has, so he should get there. That doesn't mean he'll be more, although it is possible. My point about him is that unless he turns into a 30 goal guy he's going to be viewed as a second tier prospect, because that's what he is. Therefore he isn't close to off limits. I'm not saying trade him for a bag of pucks, but you're if you think they should turn down a deal that will help them to keep Pulkinnen.

As far as prospects in general, or established players for that matter, Zetterberg and Datsyuk are the only players off limits. Some would take an insane deal, but if moving Kronwall and Mantha would bring a Norris caliber D, or Tatar, Sproul, and Larkin a 30+ goal power forward in his prime, I'd pull the trigger.

And no, I don't watch many Griffins games unfortunately, but I know that success in the minors guarantees nothing.

[e_prime 1,936]

And no, I don't watch many Griffins games unfortunately, but I know that success in the minors guarantees nothing.

...but ignoring them doesn't mean that what happens during them can't translate into real world NHL level results.

[Dabura 12,206]

Thoughts on Alex Chiasson.

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

Thoughts on Alex Chiasson.

Can he play defence?

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Not saying I would do it because we got real good offensive prospects coming up but I read oilers are willing to trade yakupov and ask mtl for tinordi and/or beaulieau (read on the fourth period.com)

What would it take if we made a trade for him ? Have to say I'm just intrigued at the prospect of seeing him on a line with datsyuk ... Yes he's under achieved in Edmonton but that whole team is a mess I wouldn't write off some guys on that team just yet

Think playing with fellow Russian pav would get him producing

I think there's a 0% chance we'd trade for him but for arguments sake ... What would it take? ... Something like sproul and jurco?

Edited January 10, 2015 by nyqvististhefuture

[krsmith17 7,191]

I do think a change of scenery would do Yakupov a world of good, and he can still turn his young career around, but he just doesn't fit into our team's plans. I wouldn't give up Jurco alone for Yakupov, let alone Jurco and Sproul. If Edmonton are shopping Yak, I would assume they are going to be asking much more than he's worth right now. Maybe another first and top prospect, or maybe they look for veteran help on the back end or down the middle... Either way, as intriguing as a former fist overall pick (just 2 1/2 years ago) is, I'd pass for sure. Unless of course they take Kindl and Andersson......

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Yeah Yakupov seems destined to either heading back to Russia or an NHL career as one of those guys who never put it all together. From what I've read he seems to be pretty uncoachable.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Yeah Yakupov seems destined to either heading back to Russia or an NHL career as one of those guys who never put it all together. From what I've read he seems to be pretty uncoachable.

I'm always scared of Russian kids , thinking they'll just go back to the khl ... As for the quotes to being uncoachable the whole team in Edmonton is a disaster so I wouldn't pay too much attention to that , i can't believe he'd ignore pavel if he gave him tips on now to have a better all around game

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I'm always scared of Russian kids , thinking they'll just go back to the khl ... As for the quotes to being uncoachable the whole team in Edmonton is a disaster so I wouldn't pay too much attention to that , i can't believe he'd ignore pavel if he gave him tips on now to have a better all around game

Not that I'm advocating a trade for Yakupov, but this team's had its fair share of issues with Swedish kids going back, too. Ryno, Axelsson, Larsson, Almqvist and now Backman.