I agree we are not close, but my concern in the interim is that Hughes and Hischier will be pounded on continually unless we get some players who can discourage the abuse to our smaller stars. Dislocated shoulder here, broken whatever there and it adds up overtime as the body breaks down with age. I am not saying I want goons, I don't need a specific height over _x_ to want a player. As I said originally I love Debrincat's talent. If you acquire him and put him with Hischier, that is a formula with the potential to create excitement for sure. I just believe you need to offset that line with someone who can go to the net and offer up some grit/protection each shift and the current makeup of the top 6 is lacking that. Bringing in another talented under sized top 6 forward makes the need for some talented sizeable players greater.

Speed and skill are great. They make for exciting highlights that are fun to watch, but it takes more then that to win in the playoffs, which should be the end goal of this blueprint, no? In a few years I'd like for this team to do more then just make the playoffs.

If he can be acquired at a low cost, great lets do it, but what would you be willing to give up to get him? Or what do you think Chicago would want for him?
- JagrBombs19

Agree to disagree i guess. I just want to add players that will help improve this team, small or big. Debrincat would be a consistent 40 or even 50 goal scorer playing on Hughes' wing, and he would instantly be our best winger.

Injuries arent a concern whatsoever for me, considering how said players have gotten hurt. Adding grit/bigger players into the lineup does absolutely nothing to discourage opposing teams from playing our top players hard. Bratt is our only legit top 6 winger. Johnsson and Tatar are middle 6 guys. Sharangovich is a borderline middle 6 guy but hes probably better off in a 3rd line role. Theres nothing outside of Holtz in the system that can be a top 6 guy. We just need talent on the wings in general, plain and simple.

Agree to disagree i guess. I just want to add players that will help improve this team, small or big. Debrincat would be a consistent 40 or even 50 goal scorer playing on Hughes' wing, and he would instantly be our best winger.

Injuries arent a concern whatsoever for me, considering how said players have gotten hurt. Adding grit/bigger players into the lineup does absolutely nothing to discourage opposing teams from playing our top players hard. Bratt is our only legit top 6 winger. Johnsson and Tatar are middle 6 guys. Sharangovich is a borderline middle 6 guy but hes probably better off in a 3rd line role. Theres nothing outside of Holtz in the system that can be a top 6 guy. We just need talent on the wings in general, plain and simple.
- vlongo4419

I remember that draft year so well. Disappointed in McLeod. But then I saw Debrincat dropping into the second and he was still falling to us and I was praying. Only to see Chicago get him 2 picks before us. We got Bastian. Why do we never trade up?????

I remember that draft year so well. Disappointed in McLeod. But then I saw Debrincat dropping into the second and he was still falling to us and I was praying. Only to see Chicago get him 2 picks before us. We got Bastian. Why do we never trade up?????
- redmonsters

Because our team is bad at drafting.

I remember that draft year so well. Disappointed in McLeod. But then I saw Debrincat dropping into the second and he was still falling to us and I was praying. Only to see Chicago get him 2 picks before us. We got Bastian. Why do we never trade up?????
- redmonsters

BC of all the value of trading down to get more middle round picks that dont work or something?

This team bends like birches in an ice storm.

It's a wall built of bricks and no mortar... crumbles and then fans be like MORE BRICKS!!!

Need Laine

Holtz scores again for Utica

I remember that draft year so well. Disappointed in McLeod. But then I saw Debrincat dropping into the second and he was still falling to us and I was praying. Only to see Chicago get him 2 picks before us. We got Bastian. Why do we never trade up?????
- redmonsters

Bastian puts us over the top.

I remember that draft year so well. Disappointed in McLeod. But then I saw Debrincat dropping into the second and he was still falling to us and I was praying. Only to see Chicago get him 2 picks before us. We got Bastian. Why do we never trade up?????
- redmonsters

We took the bigger grit player over the smaller scorer

We took the bigger grit player over the smaller scorer
- Crushers68

I find it interesting that every response to my post has been akin to gallows humor (grim and ironic humor in a desperate or hopeless situation).
Is that what we have become?

Fix it Fitz! We are East Edmonton - except not that good, and that is really bad. Hell, Rags, Ducks, Wings and others have all passed us on the rebuild in a shorter period of time. Trade, use cap space, cheat. I don't care, but I am sick and tired of being one of the worst teams in the league.

Need Laine
- RubberBiscuitz

We need him and Kane. Not enough attitude problems here.

I find it interesting that every response to my post has been akin to gallows humor (grim and ironic humor in a desperate or hopeless situation).
Is that what we have become?

Fix it Fitz! We are East Edmonton - except not that good, and that is really bad. Hell, Rags, Ducks, Wings and others have all passed us on the rebuild in a shorter period of time. Trade, use cap space, cheat. I don't care, but I am sick and tired of being one of the worst teams in the league.
- redmonsters

Have they passed us in the rebuild, or are they just getting good goaltending instead of goaltending that sinks the team? Huge difference there.

Expected goals per 60 in the league: Devils 11th, Ducks 18th, Wings 25th, Rangers 28th

5v5 expected goals for %: Devils 19th, Ducks 20th, Rangers 26th, Wings 27th

Goals saved above expected: Rangers 1st(Shesterkin is #1), Ducks 7th(Gibson top 12), Wings 16th(Ned is 10th) (all 3 in the positives), Devils well into the negatives at 31st.(Blackwood is 96th!!!!!!! among 102 goalies)

Good/Above average goaltending can cover up a lot of holes. The worst goaltending in the league can sink a team no matter what.