To be honest, my biggest concern is finding a young center who will pick up some of the slack when Giroux begins to decline. In a couple years, G may need to be moved to wing and will certainly be taking on fewer minutes. He'll still be a good player, but he won't be a guy you can lean on as heavily. Hell, they're already leaning on him too much.
Getting a young C who can play in the top 9 now and hopefully grow into a 60-70 point guy would be my top priority over the next couple of years. Maybe it's a guy they move up to draft or a straight up prospect exchange or they build a package around Schenn, Sanheim/Morin and a pick. - PhillySportsGuy
Man, good luck finding a center through trade in this league. The wheel has spun from Goalies to Defensemen and onto Centers as the NHLs hottest commodity.
I agree with the gist of this. Move some bad contracts if he can is first priority and then see who steps up from within their own guys to fill in.
The only thing I would change is in the scenario where Hexy is able to move Streit and
Read, I would then make a move to sign a guy like Nielsen. With those two contracts off their books they would have to dollars to add a guy and he makes a lot of sense with their needs. It would be money much better spent then the ridiculous deals they used on VLC and Amac.
Also if both Streit and Read are gone that is a lot of veteran leadership missing. Asking rookies to fill both those roles would be tough and they would definitely take a step back next season unless they sign a vet to fill those holes created. - Marc D
Fair enough. Though with Giroux, Simmonds, and Schultz still on the roster, I think they have enough vets. Heck, even though they are still pretty young, guys like Couturier, Schenn, Voracek, and MDZ have all been around long enough to help mentor younger players.
To be honest, my biggest concern is finding a young center who will pick up some of the slack when Giroux begins to decline. In a couple years, G may need to be moved to wing and will certainly be taking on fewer minutes. He'll still be a good player, but he won't be a guy you can lean on as heavily. Hell, they're already leaning on him too much.
Getting a young C who can play in the top 9 now and hopefully grow into a 60-70 point guy would be my top priority over the next couple of years. Maybe it's a guy they move up to draft or a straight up prospect exchange or they build a package around Schenn, Sanheim/Morin and a pick. - PhillySportsGuy
Yup, it's why I'm not opposed to moving up and trying to land a guy like Brown or McLeod.
Location: Driver's Seat: Mitch Marner bandwagon. Grab 'em by the Corsi. Joined: 02.04.2009
Jun 8 @ 12:58 PM ET
To be honest, my biggest concern is finding a young center who will pick up some of the slack when Giroux begins to decline. In a couple years, G may need to be moved to wing and will certainly be taking on fewer minutes. He'll still be a good player, but he won't be a guy you can lean on as heavily. Hell, they're already leaning on him too much.
Getting a young C who can play in the top 9 now and hopefully grow into a 60-70 point guy would be my top priority over the next couple of years. Maybe it's a guy they move up to draft or a straight up prospect exchange or they build a package around Schenn, Sanheim/Morin and a pick. - PhillySportsGuy
+1, and I'd wager that Hexy is probably accounting for that in his plan.
If you're still forced to play Raffl on the first line you're pretty much conceding that you've done very little to empower last season's offense and that has to be a priority this off season. - mayorofangrytown
Or you are spreading your offensive skill throughout the top 9. Why do your best scorers have to be all on the same line? 3 legit scoring threats is how we should be looking to construct the lines. They will change throughout the season and will be moved around in game situations, but I hope they spend a good amount of time together
Man, good luck finding a center through trade in this league. The wheel has spun from Goalies to Defensemen and onto Centers as the NHLs hottest commodity.
Location: best smile, 14 without fake tees Joined: 03.28.2008
Jun 8 @ 1:05 PM ET
I'm talking about a guy who hasn't even entered his prime yet. Someone on their ELC. Someone like Hertl before the world realized he's actually very good. - PhillySportsGuy
I know, just seemed funny.
I actually hope they get a center this draft who turns into another Giroux
Or you are spreading your offensive skill throughout the top 9. Why do your best scorers have to be all on the same line? 3 legit scoring threats is how we should be looking to construct the lines. They will change throughout the season and will be moved around in game situations, but I hope they spend a good amount of time together - YuenglingJagr
That what I'm looking to do. Three lines that can score. I'm looking to add a "better" wing so I can move Raffl down in the lineup to help the scoring. If you end up with a winger who can put the puck in the net in FA then I want him with my best play maker.
I don't need my best three players on the top line. We all know it doesn't work that way.
I'm talking about a guy who hasn't even entered his prime yet. Someone on their ELC. Someone like Hertl before the world realized he's actually very good. - PhillySportsGuy
I still dont understand why everyone slobbers over Hertl. From a statistical output he is Brayden Schenn with less hype
I think he's one of those guys that doesn't dominate or isn't flashy, but he looks to me to be the type of all around top 4 guy with good size, wheels and skill that plays 15 years in the NHL. I'd be very happy with him at 18
I think he's one of those guys that doesn't dominate or isn't flashy, but he looks to me to be the type of all around top 4 guy with good size, wheels and skill that plays 15 years in the NHL. I'd be very happy with him at 18 - BiggE
He had that big coming out party then got hurt. I don't think people are paying as much attention to what he's done since he came back. - mayorofangrytown
I like him and hes good (he was drafted in the first round so its not as though he came out of nowhere) but he has kind of become the posterchild for the "trade all of our players for their players" crowd
