Largely ok with this, but would peel out Valimaki down to the 3rd pairing, left side - bring back Brodie for top pair OR go nab an equivalent via trade/FA. By the end of next season, we should have a new top pairing emerging... Gio needs to move down lineup at some point and I think Ras needs top pairing minutes to see if he can take on that load sans Gio.
- rmull905
I think Valimaki will establish himself as one of our top 2 dmen next year, and I don't think it will take him long to do it. It sucks having him on his off side (maybe Gio or Hanifin would be better at it?) but I really do believe the only debate we'll be having next year concerning Valimaki will be who the 2nd best dman on the team is (Gio or Rass).
I feel like Rass is an in house right handed replacement for Gio, I wouldn't mind seeing them together as our shut down paring (Gio can't make as many rushes as he used to---let Rass take over the offense and have Gio play more of a defensive game)
I'm all in on signing Hall. I would let Brodie and Hamonic (especially Hamonic) walk and use the cap space we have left on a 1B backup and a 5/6 dman. We need firepower, and we need to make sure Colorado doesn't add Hall. Window is closed for us if we let that happen IMO.
I think it would be a big mistake to blow the team up right now. Trades will have to be made ahead of the expansion draft anyway, that's when major changes should be made if this team still can't get it done.