Championship teams are built around their top players. The bottom of the roster needs to fill the in the roles behind your top players. In the SCF both the Kings and Rangers got fantastic play from their bottom six. But, you would not have seen that if the top six had not led the way for both teams.

Ottawa does not have a bottom six problem. It problem is the Spezza line. Guys who focus on Smith, Greening and Condra get upset with them in order to avoid looking at the real problem.
- spatso

The SCF teams had incredible depth. With the exception of a couple of 'stars', they feature 4 lines of players who battle hard in all zones, are defensively sound and don't really specialize in any particular area at the expense of another. They all contribute offensively and defensively.

Spezza has his defensive issues, but he also has great scoring ability. I'm not against trading him, for a fair price. Greening, Neil, and to a lesser extent, Smith are clearly terrible defensively and don't have the skill to put up points either. My eyeballs see this, and the numbers back it up. Condra is an interesting case, just because he is so incredible defensively, and so poor offensively. Pair him up with a couple guys that are more offense than defense, and you've got a decent line.

So, what does Ottawa need to add in order to make it happen?
- spatso

Too much imho .They will want a defenseman back for sure,and Weircoch or Gryba wont be enough .So its down to Methot ,Cowen or Ceci

Too much imho .They will want a defenseman back for sure,and Weircoch or Gryba wont be enough .So its down to Methot ,Cowen or Ceci

- top shelf 15

i think something like....

spezza, methot

for

shattenkirk, rattie, 1st

is pretty fair

if ottawa is adding another good asset, i want berglund out of the package....his injury, frankly, is a little concerning

Too much imho .They will want a defenseman back for sure,and Weircoch or Gryba wont be enough .So its down to Methot ,Cowen or Ceci

- top shelf 15

That is really hard. Probably close to being right.

The reasoning is sound.

The problem is that I remember 2009, getting Kessel and signing the 2 most sought after defense free agents. It was completely reasonable to think that their first rounder wouldn't be number 2 overall.

Unless you are Boston, Chicago, San Jose etc. I think there is too much risk when McDavid is at stake.

top-5 or top-10 protect the pick, then the deal for RoR looks better, but who knows whether that gets it done. I think 29 teams will be making a pitch for RoR if he is being shopped.
- Aetherial

Excellent post, no chance Murray gambles and moves that pick.

i think something like....

spezza, methot

for

shattenkirk, rattie, 1st

is pretty fair

if ottawa is adding another good asset, i want berglund out of the package....his injury, frankly, is a little concerning
- sensarmy_11

No you want Berglund. Big body, yes! Rattie, small body, no!

Sometimes I wonder if he is not actually a Sens fan playing the role of a goofy Leaf fan trying to make serious Leaf fans appear somewhat limited.
- spatso

The irony of you posting this, is (frank)ing phenomenal.

No you want Berglund. Big body, yes! Rattie, small body, no!
- spatso

berglund....big broken body. shoulder injuries are bad news, remember havlat?

understandable.

ottawa has been burned the other way....holding on to those top 10 picks, and seeing flops

lee, daigle, even phillips 1st overall is painful
- sensarmy_11

Phillips was a solid pick in the worst draft in NHL history. He's had a good career.

No you want Berglund. Big body, yes! Rattie, small body, no!
- spatso

berglund....big broken body. shoulder injuries are bad news, remember havlat?

Excellent post, no chance Murray gambles and moves that pick.
- Cup 06

i think it's a small gamble, especially if RoR is the return.....but i guess that's just my opinion.

berglund....big broken body. shoulder injuries are bad news, remember havlat?
- sensarmy_11

Yup, from two comments ago.

I kid, i kid.

Phillips was a solid pick in the worst draft in NHL history. He's had a good career.
- Cup 06

fair point..........it's just hard not to look at him, think "1st overall pick", and not scream WHAT THE (frank).

Too much imho .They will want a defenseman back for sure,and Weircoch or Gryba wont be enough .So its down to Methot ,Cowen or Ceci

- top shelf 15

Rangers like Gryba, he and Stone were the asking price for MDZ.

Rangers like Gryba, he and Stone were the asking price for MDZ.
- Cup 06

I think they were talking about what you'd have to add to get berglund and shattenkirk....not about the rangers deal.

Excellent post, no chance Murray gambles and moves that pick.
- Cup 06

Actually the risk double edged. Huge premium on 2015 pick for everyone. So, if Ottawa (or another non playoff team) trades their 2015 (potential lottery) pick they should get a very substantial return. The draft is incredibly deep with talent.

But, for the team that pays big for pick, they could get stung by the other team taking off. Colorado went drom lottery to contender in lightening speed.

fair point..........it's just hard not to look at him, think "1st overall pick", and not scream WHAT THE (frank).
- sensarmy_11

Look at that draft though. Horrendous. If you got a 1000 game solid veteran who played his best in the playoffs you would take it.

Or you could have had JP Dumont

The irony of you posting this, is (frank)ing phenomenal.
- walshyleafsfan

I is what I am.

Sens fans seem fine with it. Not sure why it bothers a few Leaf fans.

Actually the risk double edged. Huge premium on 2015 pick for everyone. So, if Ottawa (or another non playoff team) trades their 2015 (potential lottery) pick they should get a very substantial return. The draft is incredibly deep with talent.

But, for the team that pays big for pick, they could get stung by the other team taking off. Colorado went drom lottery to contender in lightening speed.
- spatso

A. I hate the karma around moving a first rounder before the season. See Leafs,Isles and us as the most recent examples
B. In a year with multiple franchise players you do not take that chance unless you just won the cup.

I think they were talking about what you'd have to add to get berglund and shattenkirk....not about the rangers deal.
- sensarmy_11

I could see Hitch likin Gryba as well. Right shooting tough stay at home guy.

I is what I am.

Sens fans seem fine with it. Not sure why it bothers a few Leaf fans.
- spatso

Doesn't bother me to be honest. I was just responding to one of your comments, where you were quizzical about Prock's motives, and i revealed i found it amazingly ironic that you would question someone for potentially having an underhanded motive.

A. I hate the karma around moving a first rounder before the season. See Leafs,Isles and us as the most recent examples
B. In a year with multiple franchise players you do not take that chance unless you just won the cup.
- Cup 06

You know I agree.

But, a contrarian would say this is the one year that you go against the trend and deal the pick. But, it would have to be the lead part of a package on a very good return (Kane, ROR). On the other hand, the value of those picks will go through the roof once the season starts.

Doesn't bother me to be honest. I was just responding to one of your comments, where you were quizzical about Prock's motives, and i revealed i found it amazingly ironic that you would question someone for potentially having an underhanded motive.
- walshyleafsfan

Your accusing me of a deceit. How so?

i think something like....

spezza, methot

for

shattenkirk, rattie, 1st

is pretty fair

if ottawa is adding another good asset, i want berglund out of the package....his injury, frankly, is a little concerning
- sensarmy_11

Its fair but we are robbing peter to pay paul here.Shatty is a right shot pmd,if we were to get him it would push ceci to the bottom pair.Idont mind this tbh. But now on the left side u would have,Gryba,cowen weir and phillips.This is a problem .

Your accusing me of a deceit. How so?
- spatso

It's a puzzler, isn't it?