French Collection

If KA can find a good 3C then Lindy could put Skinner on that line to achieve the balance I am talking about. Greenway could round out that line and provide corner work and a net front presence while Skinner buzzes around. Benson moves up in my scenario, unless KA adds a winger like Joshua, who would push Benson down to 3rd line and Greenway to the 4th line.

I forgot about this game, I just put it on and will check in during Avs-Stars breaks.

A team who had Cup dreams and are done may be interested. Pittsburgh or Washington come to mind. Washington will probably let Ovie pursue Gretzky but undergo a rebuild at the same time. Crosby still has game but he needs to realize the others are almost done. There are probably a few teams that will do rebuild on the fly. LA is another team. I’m not sure what players will be made available. I also think some teams would want other pieces added to #11 like a prospect who is almost ready. #11 on its own probably doesn’t get a solid 2-3C like Cirelli but might be enough to get Laughton.

I have been a part of this 13 year drought but I accept no responsibility.

Pylons!

That’s why they fall in spring.

He might be the best skater ever. Someone might come around and have better speed, edge work etc… but he can do so much at top speed. The old argument about best of an era will always be there but like all sports today’s athletes are better. Higher, faster, stronger. I like to think about dropping, Orr, Lemieux, Howe and Gretzky in today’s game having access to training, equipment, technology, nutrition, medical and psychological support that McDavid has.

You’re right that these guys need to generate more. I think Skinner’s new range is 24-30 goals. Quinn and Peterka may make a move to the top of this lineup, diminishing Skinner’s ice time and points. Finding a 2-3C could mean the most balanced top 9 in a long time. There is room to improve on Okposo, Girgs and Jost as 4th liners.

Second highest scoring Dman on the team. QMJHL Dman of the year this season, so he is a key piece if they win.

I like Avalanche. Kraken is OK.

Komarov won a Memorial Cup last May.

Interesting thought. You hear players say all of the time they would trade personal awards for a Cup. You won’t find any person who would trade McJesus for Eichel yet Jack has something Connor may never get. The Cup is worth a lot of votes as well when the time comes to determine who joins the HHOF. McDavid is still generational.

Leaving tomorrow for Prague. Bringing my signed Iginla 2002 Salt Lake jersey and a goat head hat to show support for Cozens, Power and Byram. Bucket list item would be to bump into Hasek.

I get this. Make the playoffs even if you need to move a young asset and keep building on the success of being a playoff team. Make the playoffs.

Figured you would come to his defence. I don’t think I have taken any shots at his skills. He’s a very good player on a good team. I might pile on when people comment about his Huh! interview and the stuff about the loudest he’s ever heard, blah blah blah. He wasn’t my favourite Sabre when he was here because of the Masshole vibes. Anyway, I was mainly taking a shot at the term generational which almost every top draft pick seems to get tagged with.

Haven’t looked, I’m watching Peterka and Germany vs USA.

Muel can be our Mark Stone.

It really bounces around after Celebrini, I am curious to see how it all plays out.

UFAs. Gritty 4th line wingers that won’t break the bank: Martinook, Clutterbuck, Carrier, Blais and of course the other Cousins. On RHD there is Tanev, Pesce, Roy, DeMelo, Hakanpaa and MacDermid( mainly for muscle). Zadorov is also a physical presence, although LHD. Vladar could be traded for cheaply as a backup goalie who could be pushed down by Levi. Calgary probably wants Wolf full time, nothing more he can do in the AHL.

I think there is cap space this year for a few UFAs like Stephenson, Joshua and a gritty F and D. When Peterka, Quinn and Byram are due a raise, decisions need to be made who stays or goes.

Those Latvian goons are something else. I stretched the parameters quite a bit. We don’t need Reaves, just some 2-3 gritty guys that can play hockey. Besides, the Leafs would probably take Kisakov for Reaves.

That was a good team. Perreault and Martin still in their prime. Gare, Derek Smith, Van Boxmeer and Schoenfeld entering theirs. Gritty, grizzled vets Luce, Ramsay, Dudley, Korab and Hajt. Young guys Seiling, McKegney having an impact. Playfair and Ruff bringing some western toughness. Edwards and Sauve were young but an excellent tandem. The infusion of Olympians Ramsey and McClanahan. And of course the coaching genius of Scotty Bowman.

I would like to see him outperform Krebs in camp but get sent down for seasoning and to improve his 200’ game. I’m talking about the 4C role here not the 3C that KA wants to hand to Krebs. Another year and then one of Savoie, Kulich, Östlund or Wahlberg forces their way into the lineup. Savoie, Rosen and Kulich could all get looks during the season as the injuries hit.

Going deep into the playoffs, without having any pressure to contribute, provide leadership and deal with the media. On the road without your wife and kids. Could be worse.

Stephenson would be an excellent pick up but I leave Cozens at C and have them compete for 2C. Clutterbuck has some of what they need. Sorry but Jost is 13F on a weak team. Maroon has grit but is slower than Okposo. OEL has none of the Panther grit and is a LHD. Samsonov has the Leafs scent on him. Joshua as a UFA would bump Greenway down to the 4th line. Benson, Cozens and Joshua. He can also play C to help Cozens on draws. Tanev is a veteran RHD that is a UFA. He would provide the toughness in a pairing with Clark Kent.