It doesn't change the fact he is a bottom 6 forward. If he plays in our top 6 this year then it's a sign that we are back to the lottery again. I like Hansen and what he brings but if we somehow had a possible scenario to trade for a middle to top 6 forward with Hansen being a piece to move, I'm all for it. Not just for picks though.
- WhatTheNuck

There still is nothing to suggest otherwise

It doesn't change the fact he is a bottom 6 forward. If he plays in our top 6 this year then it's a sign that we are back to the lottery again. I like Hansen and what he brings but if we somehow had a possible scenario to trade for a middle to top 6 forward with Hansen being a piece to move, I'm all for it. Not just for picks though.
- WhatTheNuck

Surround him with top 6 talent before you come to that conclusion. I think this year Sutter Hansen and Sven could be a good second line

For those saying trade Hansen , think again. He is a great player . He is fast , he averages 17 goals, he is great on the PK , he is a very good two way player with very good speed. He has a great cap hit and is great in the room. You don't just give away players like that for second round picks.
- VANTEL

I would have been okay with trading Etem before he signed that contract, now he seems so cheap, I want to see what he can do with a full season.

Granlund is expendable.

Hansen can be moved for the right deal if he isn't playing with the Sedins.

keep Sven and Bo.

I want to see if Gaunce improved.

lol, I forgot all about Burr.

There still is nothing to suggest otherwise
- VanHockeyGuy

I'd disagree to an extent but I think it depends on if something else is brewing over the course of the summer. If we were to find a way to trade Sbisa Dorsett or Hansen, Guddy is an obvious upgrade over Sbisa and Eriksson makes our top 6 better like Vrbata did in his first year when we made the playoffs. Although, I share your skepticism and also believe a piece is still missing to support my belief of making the playoffs this year as well.

If nothing happens then I'd have to agree with your statement but I still think Guddy and Eriksson still made our team better.

Surround him with top 6 talent before you come to that conclusion. I think this year Sutter Hansen and Sven could be a good second line
- VANTEL

JB still has work to do this summer. The Alberta teams will make it tough on them in both senses of the word. The goal of making the playoffs with this team as it stands today is a difficult one.

Surround him with top 6 talent before you come to that conclusion. I think this year Sutter Hansen and Sven could be a good second line
- VANTEL

worth a look

I'd disagree to an extent but I think it depends on if something else is brewing over the course of the summer. If we were to find a way to trade Sbisa Dorsett or Hansen, Guddy is an obvious upgrade over Sbisa and Eriksson makes our top 6 better like Vrbata did in his first year when we made the playoffs. Although, I share your skepticism and also believe a piece is still missing to support my belief of making the playoffs this year as well.

If nothing happens then I'd have to agree with your statement but I still think Guddy and Eriksson still made our team better.
- WhatTheNuck

As we stand today.

I would have been okay with trading Etem before he signed that contract, now he seems so cheap, I want to see what he can do with a full season.

Granlund is expendable.

Hansen can be moved for the right deal if he isn't playing with the Sedins.

keep Sven and Bo.

I want to see if Gaunce improved.

lol, I forgot all about Burr.
- hillbillydeluxe

I would hang on to Etem a little longer. He got a pulse at the end of the year. If he continues to be that player you got a steal . If he goes back to his old ways send him to Utica to smarten up

I'd disagree to an extent but I think it depends on if something else is brewing over the course of the summer. If we were to find a way to trade Sbisa Dorsett or Hansen, Guddy is an obvious upgrade over Sbisa and Eriksson makes our top 6 better like Vrbata did in his first year when we made the playoffs. Although, I share your skepticism and also believe a piece is still missing to support my belief of making the playoffs this year as well.

If nothing happens then I'd have to agree with your statement but I still think Guddy and Eriksson still made our team better.
- WhatTheNuck

Some forget that Jim tanked the team on purpose last year. We were in a playoff race and had needs that could have put us very close. He did nothing. He wanted a high draft pick. He won't do the same this year

JB still has work to do this summer. The Alberta teams will make it tough on them in both senses of the word. The goal of making the playoffs with this team as it stands today is a difficult one.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'd agree it's going to be difficult but I think the potential is there based on a few factors.

- If JV plays on the team it needs to be in a top 6 rolled or I prefer him in Utica.

- Can Rodin and Larsen not only make the team but prove they belong in the NHL in some capacity?

- Does Horvat and Baertschi continue to improve both offensively and defensively?

Realistically we will be a bubble team imo with a bit of upside to make the show with a quick exit in the first round again.

JB still has work to do this summer. The Alberta teams will make it tough on them in both senses of the word. The goal of making the playoffs with this team as it stands today is a difficult one.
- VanHockeyGuy

I agree that Alberta teams will improve this year but I also think the Cali teams will trend down.

I would hang on to Etem a little longer. He got a pulse at the end of the year. If he continues to be that player you got a steal . If he goes back to his old ways send him to Utica to smarten up
- VANTEL

I think he'd be picked off waivers. but if he isn't playing the right way and there isn't any room in the press box, you risk it.

the option is there, hope he plays well and it doesn't have to be considered

For those saying trade Hansen , think again. He is a great player . He is fast , he averages 17 goals, he is great on the PK , he is a very good two way player with very good speed. He has a great cap hit and is great in the room. You don't just give away players like that for second round picks.
- VANTEL

If he can be used to upgrade on him. Trade him.

I agree that Alberta teams will improve this year but I also think the Cali teams will trend down.
- VANTEL

Aside from Gud. We are not a still tough team to play against. Even if the CAL teams are trending down they are still grittier and bigger.

Some forget that Jim tanked the team on purpose last year. We were in a playoff race and had needs that could have put us very close. He did nothing. He wanted a high draft pick. He won't do the same this year
- VANTEL

I agree that last year there was a tank mentality for sure. I still think we make the playoffs this year as my prediction. Already made my bets for it to happen.

If he can be used to upgrade on him. Trade him.
- Retinalz

That is different than trading him for a second round pick. If you can upgrade anyone , by all means

I agree that last year there was a tank mentality for sure. I still think we make the playoffs this year as my prediction. Already made my bets for it to happen.
- WhatTheNuck

Is that based on logic or emotion?

ODDS TO WIN 2017 WESTERN CONFERENCE (6/10/17)

Chicago Blackhawks 7/2
Los Angeles Kings 19/4
Dallas Stars 13/2
Anaheim Ducks 15/2
San Jose Sharks 15/2
St. Louis Blues 15/2
Nashville Predators 9/1
Minnesota Wild 10/1
Calgary Flames 18/1
Colorado Avalanche 22/1
Arizona Coyotes 28/1
Edmonton Oilers 28/1
Vancouver Canucks 35/1
Winnipeg Jets 35/1

It doesn't change the fact he is a bottom 6 forward. If he plays in our top 6 this year then it's a sign that we are back to the lottery again. I like Hansen and what he brings but if we somehow had a possible scenario to trade for a middle to top 6 forward with Hansen being a piece to move, I'm all for it. Not just for picks though.
- WhatTheNuck

This is exactly it. I am a Hansen fan actually because he is the ultimate utility guy I just don't think long term we are going to contend with him. I don't think he is in JB's long term plans. Move him now where there is value or in a few years we will be talking about Hansen as we are talking about what to do with Burrows at present.

Aside from Gud. We are not a still tough team to play against. Even if the CAL teams are trending down they are still grittier and bigger.
- VanHockeyGuy

Dorsett can fight, I agree they do need one more forward that can fight. I hope Tryamkin learns to use his size this year.

I did read today just on Twitter the Sabres might be looking to move Kane. With two years left I would go after that trade.

Aside from Gud. We are not a still tough team to play against. Even if the CAL teams are trending down they are still grittier and bigger.
- VanHockeyGuy

This is why I think it is pivotal JB find a top 6 guy this summer. Even a kid like Evander Kane who may be a huge douchenut still could turn his career around and be a top line winger. He could probably be had for cheaper than what Buffalo paid for him and still has 2 years @5.25 million to prove he is worth the money. If you look at his stats on a per game average he's still a beast as far as grit and scoring go. It would be risky to some degree but no doubt an upgrade over Hansen in a middle 6 role.

Dank-Hank-Eriksoon
Kane-Horvat-Virtanen
Baertschi-Sutter-Rodin
Burrows-Granlund-Hansen
Gaunce/Megna

Edler-Tanev
Hutton-Gudbranson
Tryamkin-Larsen
Biega

Dorsett can fight, I agree they do need one more forward that can fight. I hope Tryamkin learns to use his size this year.

I did read today just on Twitter the Sabres might be looking to move Kane. With two years left I would go after that trade.
- VANTEL

Kane changes the landscape for sure.

That is different than trading him for a second round pick. If you can upgrade anyone , by all means
- VANTEL

Now that UFA is over, trade at TDL if not a playoff team. I was thinking to trade him at the draft as he could have been upgraded to Brouwer in UFA.

This is why I think it is pivotal JB find a top 6 guy this summer. Even a kid like Evander Kane who may be a huge douchenut still could turn his career around and be a top line winger. He could probably be had for cheaper than what Buffalo paid for him and still has 2 years @5.25 million to prove he is worth the money. If you look at his stats on a per game average he's still a beast as far as grit and scoring go. It would be risky to some degree but no doubt an upgrade over Hansen in a middle 6 role.

Dank-Hank-Eriksoon
Kane-Horvat-Virtanen
Baertschi-Sutter-Rodin
Burrows-Granlund-Hansen
Gaunce/Megna

Edler-Tanev
Hutton-Gudbranson
Tryamkin-Larsen
Biega
- WhatTheNuck

A lot of forwards on the team right now...where/how do they all fit?

Top line forwards...

Dany Hank Eriksson

Middle six forwards...

Sutter, Horvat, Baertschi, Virtanen, Hansen, Etem, Rodin...

Bottom line forwards...

Gaunce, Dorsett, Granlund, Burrows

Defence...

Edler Tanev
Hutton Gudbranson
Sbisa Tryamkin
Larsen

———————————————————————————————

Unless they're really well coached, which we know they're not, mediocre at best, that's not a very sexy lineup for next season. Even if our young guys progress, which every teams young players should do, I only see maybe a 15 point improvement from their 71 points last year.

Another top five pick, which is perfectly fine when Benning is drafting so well. Slowly but surely he's gonna draft a winner in Vancouver.

This is why I think it is pivotal JB find a top 6 guy this summer. Even a kid like Evander Kane who may be a huge douchenut still could turn his career around and be a top line winger. He could probably be had for cheaper than what Buffalo paid for him and still has 2 years @5.25 million to prove he is worth the money. If you look at his stats on a per game average he's still a beast as far as grit and scoring go. It would be risky to some degree but no doubt an upgrade over Hansen in a middle 6 role.

Dank-Hank-Eriksoon
Kane-Horvat-Virtanen
Baertschi-Sutter-Rodin
Burrows-Granlund-Hansen
Gaunce/Megna

Edler-Tanev
Hutton-Gudbranson
Tryamkin-Larsen
Biega
- WhatTheNuck

I think Granlund is this years utility player. I don't have him slotted in any spot. When a player goes down he fills in