Que?
- Beaver-Warrior

Kirby Dach , for team Canada.

Kirby Dach , for team Canada.
- mrpaulish

Kirby Dach , for team Canada.
- mrpaulish

For the life of me I thought it some sort of basketball player reference...

I like this prediction. Most people want to pencil in nylander, kubaliak, or even dach as the 1lw and that's just going to lead to match up issues considering the quality of competion toews and kane are going to see. Having Saad with them allows them to match up better.
I hate even penciling gus in at 1rd but your right, I think he'll at least start the year next to Keith. Hopefully dehaan and Murphy can make up for it as a shutdown pairing.
Last, Dach as 3c may be wishful thinking but it allows for a more complete lineup so I hope it works.

Revised: I'm responding to walleyeb1's lineup. Couldn't quote it for whatever reason

Perlini signs...

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Dach - Shaw
Cagguila - Carpenter - Kampf
Smith

Perlini is dealt....

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Saad - Dach - Cagguila
Smith - Carpenter - Kampf
Quenneville

- DarthKane

That specific Kirby doesn't play for Canada, he plays for Nintendo.

On a sidenote, NJD look like they will be a very good team this season. I've liked their moves so far. They just re-signed Butcher to a 3-year deal.

If Perlini is traded and Nylander and Dach crack the opening day lineup, I for one would really like to see:

Nylander - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Saad - Shaw - Dach
Smith - Kampf - Caggiula/Carpenter

To really see what Nylander’s got, put him with 19 and 88 and see if it wakes him up/motivates him. He’s a great talent, and I think playing with the playmaking Kane is the best way to see if he could keep up at this level. Toews will NOT be tolerating any floating, so this kid giving it his all could hinge on playing with 19/88.

Kubalik plays fast, and I think he’d be a pretty nice compliment offensively to Strome and Cat. I think he’s a top-six forward.

Saad-Shaw-Dach is quite a potent third line, and having Smith and Carpenter/Caggiula on the fourth line really allows us to have more snarl.

If Perlini is traded and Nylander and Dach crack the opening day lineup, I for one would really like to see:

Nylander - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Saad - Shaw - Dach
Smith - Kampf - Caggiula/Carpenter

To really see what Nylander’s got, put him with 19 and 88 and see if it wakes him up/motivates him. He’s a great talent, and I think playing with the playmaking Kane is the best way to see if he could keep up at this level. Toews will NOT be tolerating any floating, so this kid giving it his all could hinge on playing with 19/88.

Kubalik plays fast, and I think he’d be a pretty nice compliment offensively to Strome and Cat. I think he’s a top-six forward.

Saad-Shaw-Dach is quite a potent third line, and having Smith and Carpenter/Caggiula on the fourth line really allows us to have more snarl.
- TommyHawk

One thing’s for sure, there’s more options this season than last season.

One thing’s for sure, there’s more options this season than last season.
- walleyeb1

Probably, but a lot of options on that list who haven't played a minute in the league.

Lets hope you are still saying that in December.

Perlini signs...

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Dach - Shaw
Cagguila - Carpenter - Kampf
Smith

Perlini is dealt....

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Saad - Dach - Cagguila
Smith - Carpenter - Kampf
Quenneville
- DarthKane

Nylander for Caufield

The thing that should stand out to everyone is that Dach goes to the net looking for rebounds or opportunities to create plays using his skill/reach.

The thing that should stand out to everyone is that Dach goes to the net looking for rebounds or opportunities to create plays using his skill/reach.
- breadbag

Just adding, "if" Dach is ready to play and becomes a C option, then we have 3 guys in the middle that are good around the net and can make plays in tight around the net. Toews - Strome - Dach.

The thing that should stand out to everyone is that Dach goes to the net looking for rebounds or opportunities to create plays using his skill/reach.
- breadbag

I agree, great hands, can skate, i know it's a big boy league, but Dach already had size to play in this league, sounds like a student of the game, already plays better defense than Perlini, we'll see

What sense is there in having KD boss around kids for another year if he continues like he did in the summer? With Toews, Strome and the 3 4th line centers they have, they should be able to break him in with favorable zone starts and some PP2 time.

I don't mind trading for Shaw, but it shouldn't have required a second and a third. Especially knowing Montreal was trying to clear cap space. He can play top 6 minutes, but ideally he is a third line wing.

Perlini signs...

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Dach - Shaw
Cagguila - Carpenter - Kampf
Smith

Perlini is dealt....

Kubalik - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Shaw
Saad - Dach - Cagguila
Smith - Carpenter - Kampf
Quenneville
- DarthKane

Where's Sikura?

I agree, great hands, can skate, i know it's a big boy league, but Dach already had size to play in this league, sounds like a student of the game, already plays better defense than Perlini, we'll see
- BetweenTheDots

But does Dach have the strength right now?

How much of his success down low has been because he is just bigger than the other 17-18-19 year olds he has gone up against?

Size is one thing - good to have it - but it also takes strength the get to, take, and hold a position in the Show.

Let's see what happens when he goes up against experienced, skilled players the same size (or bigger) in the NHL.

I don't mind trading for Shaw, but it shouldn't have required a second and a third. Especially knowing Montreal was trying to clear cap space. He can play top 6 minutes, but ideally he is a third line wing.
- pjm901

How you we know it shouldn't have required a 2nd and a 3rd?

I know I’m sounding like a broken record here, but my thought is that if Dach isn’t the answer at 3C, then there’s still a gaping hole in the roster. Got a bunch of guys who CAN play there, but all are better suited elsewhere.

We got better on D, and deeper in the bottom 6, but lost a proven 3C. That’s two steps forward, one back by my count. Hope the kid can bring it...soon.
- Ogilthorpe2

We won 3 cups with a supposed 2c hole. Every team has holes. If Toews, Kane, Saad, Debrinkat, Strome, Shaw, and the rebuilt defense don't show up, 3c won't matter.

But does Dach have the strength right now?

How much of his success down low has been because he is just bigger than the other 17-18-19 year olds he has gone up against?

Size is one thing - good to have it - but it also takes strength the get to, take, and hold a position in the Show.

Let's see what happens when he goes up against experienced, skilled players the same size (or bigger) in the NHL.
- StLBravesFan

Don’t discount what you’re saying but I believe others have posted how he went through a growth spurt this year, so size isn’t necessarily the sole reason for his success.

Where's Sikura?
- mohel

Not in this hypothetical lineup but I bet Nylavendar edges him out cause he’s Stan’s shiny new penny.

Not in this hypothetical lineup but I bet Nylavendar edges him out cause he’s Stan’s shiny new penny.
- HawkintheD

Very good, very good, hahahaha!!!!

I didn't predict it but I thought the one player they should trade for was for shaw. But I didn't think the habs would him.

I was stoked when I heard about the trade. They have needed guy like shaw since he left and not come close to replacing him. So go get the original . He was their best player during the 7 game series with the blues.

even Q commented about shaw before he trade that he was

https://www.secondcityhoc...placeable-2016-salary-cap

he can play up and down the line-up, kill pens, net presence, great team high energy guy...

he helps with slotting other guys...

yes injury problems and his style of play leads to a short career...see marcus kruger...

this team after a full camp and the emergence of a few other positive surprises will compete for top 3 division spot...
- bogiedoc

I love the move too. Got him for a bag of marbles those draft choices are not likely to ever be cup caliber NHL player's. Don't remember him ever killing penalties he was watching from the box. Lol.

Sam Girard just got paid, a 7×5 deal

Stan made some high risk/reward moves. DeHaan, Maatta, Shaw, Lehner have all had medical or other issues. If they are healthy and productive it could definitely be a playoff team and DeHaan, Maatta, and Shaw have 3 years left on very reasonable contracts. If they miss a lot of time and are unproductive Stan will have to answer for that, and Shaw, Maatta, and DeHaan have 3 years left on their very expensive contracts.

The Lehner/Crow situation will also be interesting. If they both are healthy and play at an elite level dividing time this year, then what to do next year should be interesting. People say that Lehner is a given and Crow is gone next year. If Crow stays healthy and plays 45+ games at an elite level and leads them in a successful playoff run I am not so sure he is gone.
- -Doh-

Those contracts aren't expensive in today's world. Nobody will be signing a soon to be 36 year old goalie with head problems as their number 1 no matter what kind of year he has unless one year deal and guys in Rockford look to be real deal, not just a body, Cam Ward...