This. Never loved and hated a coach so much at the same time.
- rmdevil313

it's a strange feeling

Yes but if the cap didn't drop by like 7 million he might of been signed a lot quicker. There might have been plenty of interest in him but not if it ment moving someone to make room for him. If the cap goes up which it should then he might be a more tradable asset. There might be a team out there who plays a run and gun style that he would likely do better in. Or a team might need to clear some cap I would take on the extra cap of Hemskey for Brunner. Not sure if this is Hemskeys last year or not but if so they still get some cap relief this year and a player who plays a similar style for a lot less and we get another guy who is capable of prudcing and setting others up. (frank) I would even move him for Havlat if the dollars where good and it didn't put us over.
- blizzzard

WIth havlat we're getting back another terrible contract who's also not producing. The sharks wanted to buy him out this offseason, not really sure we'd be getting the better end of that deal. Hemsky is a possibility but edmonton might want to let Hemskey's contract run out rather than take another year of brunner.

WIth havlat we're getting back another terrible contract who's also not producing. The sharks wanted to buy him out this offseason. Hemsky is a possibility but edmonton might want to let Hemskey's contract run out rather than take another year of brunner.
- rmdevil313

The thing with Hemskey I think anyways is the same with Horcoff. They don't really dislike either guy they dislike the contract. Brunner being a similar player to Hemskey but less talented they might want him because he brings what they liked in Hemmer for half the price. I said above that I think Havlat could produce on our team and he would likely be pretty confortable with all the other Czechs here. I also think that he would have a better time staying healthy in the east then in the west. Most of his injuries have came while in the west if you limit how much he plays those big physical teams you can likely reduce his injuries. That's not to say there is no contact in the east but I think he is better suited for the east then the west.

Both of those guys are Czech so they fit the mold and Havlat is actually one of Elias' best friends. I think he could stay healthy and produce in the east where it's not as rough.
- blizzzard

I know they're best friends, but I wouldn't feel comfortable because Hemsky is 2 years younger and has better production numbers than Havlat. Plus, he (Havlat) has another year at $5 million, which if we were to resigned Hemsky it would probably cost that since he's making that right now. I would like to see Hemsky and Elias together for the rest of the year to see if they work instead of knowing you have him next year if it didn't work out, we could just let him walk. Also, I don't think either one would fit right with PDB's system.

How 'bout Zajac and Larrson for MacKinnon and ? I would think that if that happened Zajac would be on his way out becuase of his cap.

The thing with Hemskey I think anyways is the same with Horcoff. They don't really dislike either guy they dislike the contract. Brunner being a similar player to Hemskey but less talented they might want him because he brings what they liked in Hemmer for half the price. I said above that I think Havlat could produce on our team and he would likely be pretty confortable with all the other Czechs here. I also think that he would have a better time staying healthy in the east then in the west. Most of his injuries have came while in the west if you limit how much he plays those big physical teams you can likely reduce his injuries. That's not to say there is no contact in the east but I think he is better suited for the east then the west.
- blizzzard

That's true, but that second year is concerning.

The thing with Hemskey I think anyways is the same with Horcoff. They don't really dislike either guy they dislike the contract. Brunner being a similar player to Hemskey but less talented they might want him because he brings what they liked in Hemmer for half the price. I said above that I think Havlat could produce on our team and he would likely be pretty confortable with all the other Czechs here. I also think that he would have a better time staying healthy in the east then in the west. Most of his injuries have came while in the west if you limit how much he plays those big physical teams you can likely reduce his injuries. That's not to say there is no contact in the east but I think he is better suited for the east then the west.
- blizzzard

I just don't see where he'll play in Edmonton but the third line. They'll have Hall, Eberle, Perron, and Yakupov all on the wings. If they let hemsky's contract expire they can add a player like Ott or Kulemin who can bring some needed size, grit, and responsibility.

Colin White was getting paid a similar amount and was still serviceable but still had to be bought out. Teams might want these players but on <1 million contracts. Most teams will find better options in the offseason, whether they are cheaper, better, etc.

I know they're best friends, but I wouldn't feel comfortable because Hemsky is 2 years younger and has better production numbers than Havlat. Plus, he (Havlat) has another year at $5 million, which if we were to resigned Hemsky it would probably cost that since he's making that right now. I would like to see Hemsky and Elias together for the rest of the year to see if they work instead of knowing you have him next year if it didn't work out, we could just let him walk. Also, I don't think either one would fit right with PDB's system.

How 'bout Zajac and Larrson for MacKinnon and ? I would think that if that happened Zajac would be on his way out becuase of his cap.
- Devils9503

I don't think they want Zajac. They are ok with Moving Nate for a star defense man and thats likely about it. They already have Duschene and Stastny and from what I have heard they plan on resigning Stastny and they also had to move O'Rielly to the wing and he has a pretty damn big contract himself. If they are going to take on a lot of Salary it will be for a Subban/Pietroangelo type and the second guy isn't going anywhere. Got to remember though Larsson just turned 21 this season he has made the biggest jump in progression Subban is what 24? Larsson is still 2 years younger then Subban when he won the Norris not saying Larsson is on that path but think about what level larsson might be at the age of 24 and he will certainly be signed to a bridge contract so maybe A team deep at center offers us a similar deal for him when he is in his prime.

The thing with Hemskey I think anyways is the same with Horcoff. They don't really dislike either guy they dislike the contract. Brunner being a similar player to Hemskey but less talented they might want him because he brings what they liked in Hemmer for half the price. I said above that I think Havlat could produce on our team and he would likely be pretty confortable with all the other Czechs here. I also think that he would have a better time staying healthy in the east then in the west. Most of his injuries have came while in the west if you limit how much he plays those big physical teams you can likely reduce his injuries. That's not to say there is no contact in the east but I think he is better suited for the east then the west.
- blizzzard

Elias, Jagr, and Zid are the Czech's on the team. However, I think Jagr and Zid won't be back next year, so that only makes Elias, which wouldn't be any different than bringing Sykora back two years ago if we were to get Hemsky. I think Elias and Hemsky would be good.

I just don't see where he'll play in Edmonton but the third line. They'll have Hall, Eberle, Perron, and Yakupov all on the wings. If they let hemsky's contract expire they can add a player like Ott or Kulemin who can bring some needed size, grit, and responsibility.

Colin White was getting paid a similar amount and was still serviceable but still had to be bought out. Teams might want these players but on <1 million contracts. Most teams will find better options in the offseason, whether they are cheaper, better, etc.
- rmdevil313

Meh we can sign him as a f/a then and move Brunner for Barch

I don't think they want Zajac. They are ok with Moving Nate for a star defense man and thats likely about it. They already have Duschene and Stastny and from what I have heard they plan on resigning Stastny and they also had to move O'Rielly to the wing and he has a pretty damn big contract himself. If they are going to take on a lot of Salary it will be for a Subban/Pietroangelo type and the second guy isn't going anywhere. Got to remember though Larsson just turned 21 this season he has made the biggest jump in progression Subban is what 24? Larsson is still 2 years younger then Subban when he won the Norris not saying Larsson is on that path but think about what level larsson might be at the age of 24 and he will certainly be signed to a bridge contract so maybe A team deep at center offers us a similar deal for him when he is in his prime.
- blizzzard

At this point, I think PBD would have to go for that to occur. But, we could get a #1 center for Larsson. I wouldn't mind that because we have Severson coming in a couple of years. If it was Merrill, I wouldn't like that because he's only played a handful of games and is getting playing time whereas Larrson was getting playing time, but only since Gelly's come up.

Meh we can sign him as a f/a then and move Brunner for Barch
- blizzzard

I would actually like Tootoo instead, if RW's eat $500 of his cap, like they said they would.

Meh we can sign him as a f/a then and move Brunner for Barch
- blizzzard

I'm surprised how much worse Camjam's fighting has gotten. We could use a good enforcer like Jordan Nolan or Shawn Thornton.

I would actually like Tootoo instead, if RW's eat $500 of his cap, like they said they would.
- Devils9503

Detroit wouldn't want to take a contract back though. Wouldn't mind adding tootoo, but we need to unload some of our fringe players first.

Jonas Gustavsson is starting tomorrow, which means we'll get shutout

Detroit wouldn't want to take a contract back though. Wouldn't mind adding tootoo, but we need to unload some of our fringe players first.
- rmdevil313

I also forget they wanted to free up some cap earlier in the year, I don't know if Detroit would want Brunner, but he has a cap of 2.8, I believe, and Det didn't want to go over 3 for him in the offseason, so maybe, Emmerton and Tootoo for Brunner, I mentioned Emmerton because they wanted trade him earlier and Tootoo would be a throw in to free more cap.

At this point, I think PBD would have to go for that to occur. But, we could get a #1 center for Larsson. I wouldn't mind that because we have Severson coming in a couple of years. If it was Merrill, I wouldn't like that because he's only played a handful of games and is getting playing time whereas Larrson was getting playing time, but only since Gelly's come up.
- Devils9503

Regardless of coaches preference I still think Larsson will be the best of all our young D with Gelinas a very close second or better if anyone is going to be better it will be him. Merril is good but I think Severson will end up being better then him but who knows at this point. Imo if we where to trade a D for a center the odd man out would be Merril for me aynways but he won't fetch a number one guy anyways so It's a moot point

I also forget they wanted to free up some cap earlier in the year, I don't know if Detroit would want Brunner, but he has a cap of 2.8, I believe, and Det didn't want to go over 3 for him in the offseason, so maybe, Emmerton and Tootoo for Brunner, I mentioned Emmerton because they wanted trade him earlier and Tootoo would be a throw in to free more cap.
- Devils9503

Emmerton was waived and cleared waivers earlier in the year so we could of had him for free. Detroit is also Bankrupt I think you see a drastic change in what goes on with that org in the next few years there is no way that the city being bankrupt won't catch up to them.

Regardless of coaches preference I still think Larsson will be the best of all our young D with Gelinas a very close second or better if anyone is going to be better it will be him. Merril is good but I think Severson will end up being better then him but who knows at this point. Imo if we where to trade a D for a center the odd man out would be Merril for me aynways but he won't fetch a number one guy anyways so It's a moot point
- blizzzard

Never know. I think for our forwards, center is most important, now if we could trade a defender for a #1 than maybe we either keep Zajac or trade him for a young winger. Boucher looks good, fingers crossed, Mattau may be a third liner second at the most, I would like to see what he can do if called up again after some time down in the minors.

Regardless of coaches preference I still think Larsson will be the best of all our young D with Gelinas a very close second or better if anyone is going to be better it will be him. Merril is good but I think Severson will end up being better then him but who knows at this point. Imo if we where to trade a D for a center the odd man out would be Merril for me aynways but he won't fetch a number one guy anyways so It's a moot point
- blizzzard

I wish i could share in your enthusiasm for Larsson but just can't. I think he's a good player but i think Gelinas and Merrill will be much better than him. I'd trade Larsson for Mackinnon in a heartbeat.

I also forget they wanted to free up some cap earlier in the year, I don't know if Detroit would want Brunner, but he has a cap of 2.8, I believe, and Det didn't want to go over 3 for him in the offseason, so maybe, Emmerton and Tootoo for Brunner, I mentioned Emmerton because they wanted trade him earlier and Tootoo would be a throw in to free more cap.
- Devils9503

We already have 26 players fighting for 18 spots. If would could unload a bunch of players first I'm all for that move.

Emmerton was waived and cleared waivers earlier in the year so we could of had him for free. Detroit is also Bankrupt I think you see a drastic change in what goes on with that org in the next few years there is no way that the city being bankrupt won't catch up to them.
- blizzzard

Yeah, I just looked it up too, and Emmerton is only making 550,000 so it would do worse for Det cap wise. I think Emmerton would be a nice third line center, Lokti/JJ would have to go. I would even try JJ on the wing, I liked him on the wing in preseason, plus he won't get a chance to play center here so...

I wish i could share in your enthusiasm for Larsson but just can't. I think he's a good player but i think Gelinas and Merrill will be much better than him. I'd trade Larsson for Mackinnon in a heartbeat.
- FAZOOL

I say Larrson because at this point, I think he won't be the guy offensively that he could be under PDB, and it's clear that PDB like Merrill and Gelly right off the bat, and let's them do their thing. Larrson might be better defensively than both of them, but Gelly and Merrill are both defensively solid enough for me to part with Larrson for a #1 guy.

I wish i could share in your enthusiasm for Larsson but just can't. I think he's a good player but i think Gelinas and Merrill will be much better than him. I'd trade Larsson for Mackinnon in a heartbeat.
- FAZOOL

I would to. But Larsson isn't worth Mackinnon right now. Larsson is also younger then both Gelinas and Merril by a full year. Merril is ok to me sure Larsson hasn't shown much in his first 2 seasons but in the little of this season he has played it looks like he has improved a lot in a short period of time. I still think Larrson will be the best of them all he has the potential it's about reaching it. Merril is nice but I think he will end up being a good 3/4 guy and I don't think anyone would complain about that. Gelinas likely has the highest league wide value of all of them right now but he could end up being a number 1 guy So do you risk trading him when he has been our best guy imo Greene has been the safest but next year Gelinas will be better then Greene just about in every aspect of the game and is 6'4 and mobile. I don't know what it is about Merril he is a good player and is smart with the puck but other then Pete liking him I don't see anything that makes me think he will be better then Larsson if Larsson hits his full potential. There where reasons why one guy was compared to having Lidstrom like hockey smarts and the other wasn't.

We already have 26 players fighting for 18 spots. If would could unload a bunch of players first I'm all for that move.
- rmdevil313

Ideally, I would play are our young guys, Teddy, JJ, Lokti above guys like Brunner, Ryder,Janssen and trade Brun/Ry. In know they may not be the most production guys but neither is Brun/Ry besides the last two games. Maybe Teddy-JJ-Boucher as the third line or JJ-Lokti-Boucher, Teddy-Lokti-Boucher.

Got to think to just because Pete likes someone doesn't mean a whole lot for the long term. Are we going to move a guy we took with our highest draft pick since Neidermayer because Deboer doesn't like him ? I don't think so. I think Deboer is walking a pretty tight line this year and will be under even more pressure next Year I find it hard to believe he will be coach in 3 years when Larsson is 24 and coming right into his prime. Defense tend to look grreat then take use steps backwards then in a few years slowly climb back up until they hit 24-25 and then explode into forces. For that reason alone I would hold on to Larsson first, Gelinas second and then Merril and Severson followed by Santini. I would trade any of these guys for the right return though but right now none are worth Mackinnon right now and all of them could take a huge step backwards next year so a team isn't going to trade a Mackinnon for anything but a player that is done going through growing pains and is completely ready to take over games on the back end.