I don't want to trade JVR. I would even extend him. I like JVR a lot.

But......the big issue I see is that we don't have that Top 2D in the system that's even close to ready....if we even have one at all.

On the flip side, wingers are a little easier to acquire and we have a lot of prospects with potential.

JVR is the only piece we have of value now. Reilly building chemistry with a partner for the next couple of years while Kadri, Komarov, Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Sosh, Hyman, Brown, Rychel, Kapenen, Leivo, Lindberg, Bracco, A. Johnson, Timashov.....all figure their poop out up front.....I think that's a good path to playoffs.
- underhill14

those are some damn good prospects we have

My issue is extending a 29 year-old JVR until his mid-thirties for big $.

If we can flip him to some dumb ass GM for a solid younger dman, I’d be all for it.
- Tumbleweed

pretty sure hes only 27

It will be interesting to watch this year, they will lose some talent for sure but more coming down the pipeline.
- winsix

Looking forward to seeing Dermott in the ahl,this year. I wonder what they do with Neilson

1 Top 4 D and 1 solid backup G and we will be much better

1 Top 4 D and 1 solid backup G and we will be much better
- jimi james

1 top 2 D, and back up, then i think we are on our way

good day

1 Top 4 D and 1 solid backup G and we will be much better
- jimi james

Are you assuming zietzev is a top four, or does he satisfy your list IF he works out?

Are you assuming zietzev is a top four, or does he satisfy your list IF he works out?
- burn

I see him as Gardiner's partner - what we really need is a top pairing D to play with Rielly.

Don't want to be subbing in random plugs every year like what happened with Dion (even though Rielly is a lot better). Getting comfortable and used to how his partner plays would be big going forward if u ask me.

Not 1 year of Kostka, 1 year of Holzer, 2 years of Gunnersson and a half season of Aulie.

hes not top 2 D though
- southpaww82

Agree - but he will be paid like a top two. One of the problems with D-man is that it is really easy to overpay. Karlsson makes $6.5 million, Niskanen, Enstrom, Markov and Hamilton make $5.75 Million. Biggest mistake contracts IMO have been for middle of the road d-men. Phaneuf, Oprik, Boychuk, Gorges, Smid and Girardi to name a few.

Are you assuming zietzev is a top four, or does he satisfy your list IF he works out?
- burn

I'm a leaf fan

I dont assume anything

especially our defense core

Hopefully Z makes top 4, but 1 more def solidifies the D more than not

we need someone better than Marincin Hunwick Polak in top 4

I'm a leaf fan

I dont assume anything

especially our defense core

Hopefully Z makes top 4, but 1 more def solidifies the D more than not

we need someone better than Marincin Hunwick Polak in top 4
- jimi james

Agreed... I'm thinking we need another top4, even if zietsev works out.

I see him as Gardiner's partner - what we really need is a top pairing D to play with Rielly.

Don't want to be subbing in random plugs every year like what happened with Dion (even though Rielly is a lot better). Getting comfortable and used to how his partner plays would be big going forward if u ask me.

Not 1 year of Kostka, 1 year of Holzer, 2 years of Gunnersson and a half season of Aulie.

- Lucas.Neilson

Agreed. I think marincin is Reilly's partner again this year.

Not looking good for E Kane

Agree - but he will be paid like a top two. One of the problems with D-man is that it is really easy to overpay. Karlsson makes $6.5 million, Niskanen, Enstrom, Markov and Hamilton make $5.75 Million. Biggest mistake contracts IMO have been for middle of the road d-men. Phaneuf, Oprik, Boychuk, Gorges, Smid and Girardi to name a few.
- winsix

i good reason i think we should stay away from Fowler, he will cost too much now via trade and down the road via salary demands

Agreed. I think marincin is Reilly's partner again this year.
- burn

He was decent towards the end of the season, I'm just thinking he's a stop gap until our prospects progress or they trade for a D man.

D seem to be super expensive to trade for these days...perhaps a UFA

Looking forward to seeing Dermott in the ahl,this year. I wonder what they do with Neilson
- burn

Dermott had a nice season and looks like a solid pick. Shows the advantages gained by spending money on a top notch scouting staff. I hope Neilson comes along - not many big d-man with skill around, so I'm curious to see how he does as well.

Not looking good for E Kane
- burn

HE JUST NEEDS TAW MANURE! I MEAN MATURE! GIVE US DUCHENE AND A SECOND AND HE'S YOURS

Agreed. I think marincin is Reilly's partner again this year.
- burn

Considering how Ericsson-esque Marincin is, it would not shock me.

Not looking good for E Kane
- burn

HE JUST NEEDS TAW MANURE! I MEAN MATURE! GIVE US DUCHENE AND A SECOND AND HE'S YOURS
- AdamFrench

what a world we live in

Dermott had a nice season and looks like a solid pick. Shows the advantages gained by spending money on a top notch scouting staff. I hope Neilson comes along - not many big d-man with skill around, so I'm curious to see how he does as well.
- winsix

Franson?

Not looking good for E Kane
- burn

Agree, would not be surprised if the next big news we hear about him is that he is being checked into a drug rehab clinic for help.

HE JUST NEEDS TAW MANURE! I MEAN MATURE! GIVE US DUCHENE AND A SECOND AND HE'S YOURS
- AdamFrench

The bouncer added that he and other employees watched video surveillance tapes after the club closed that night and “saw Evander Kane grab a brunette by the throat on the dance floor.”



--------------------------------

In one of the videos, Kane, 24, is seen yanking the hair of one of the female victims and grabbing her by the throat. Two of the women complained to the bouncer about Kane’s unruly behavior, according to the two law enforcement sources. One of the women bar patrons also claimed that Kane had reached out and groped her while he was tending bar.

Franson?
- Steven_Seagull

Franson was tall - but played small - talent analysis of Neilson (below) is about as far away from Franson as you can get. The word timid comes to mind when thinking about Franson.

Nielsen is a big, physical defenseman who has taken huge steps during his junior career. A team leader who can generate offense, he also has a big shot that is especially effective on the power play. He continues to evolve in terms of his defensive positional play.

Dermott had a nice season and looks like a solid pick. Shows the advantages gained by spending money on a top notch scouting staff. I hope Neilson comes along - not many big d-man with skill around, so I'm curious to see how he does as well.
- winsix

We have a few D prospects that may flourish.

those are def. two of the top 3