Can't bring in anyone without moving out salary.
Speaking of bringing someone in. Thoughts on bringing back Leddy? Would Lou even entertain that? Would Leddy want to come back? How much would it take to get him back? It would be a solid D corp.

Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Dobson
Romanov-Mayfield
- Isleshockeyman

I know I’m alone on this but I think it’s time to move on from Leddy.

I would put Leddy on the 3rd pair with Mayfield if acquired. The defense should already be in a good shape even without Leddy.
- ses111

I was thinking that might be too much youth to have Romanov and Dobson together. But I'm sure it'll be fine. A little grit paired with some finesse. Also have Salo and Aho waiting for their shot.

I know I’m alone on this but I think it’s time to move on from Leddy.
- Cptmjl

Given the price he will likely command, I don't see the space for him, especially if we want the financial flexibility to add an impact forward.

I know I’m alone on this but I think it’s time to move on from Leddy.
- Cptmjl

Just spit-balling again. I like Leddy, but not really concerned whether he comes back or not.

Definitely agree that Lou is highly unlikely to offersheet anyone.
I think the Isles will explore the trade route with a team looking to unload salary. To me the coaching change provides a built in excuse/reason to not make any huge additions. You never know with Lou, but we almost have to trade someone to make an addition based on the overcrowding situation. I would say anyone of Wally, Bellows or Beau are potential pieces but that may not even happen until mid-season
- keaner17

If that’s the case and the division improves, which by all accounts it’s positioned to do so, Lameriello will get deservedly flamed for it. At this point there are no excuses imo. Lameriello’s job is to sell the team. If he can’t do that then he’s not doing his job. Everything else is just an excuse and the time for excuses has come and gone. He fired Trotz which was a big statement. No he wasn’t doing Trotz a favor or whatever other reason people on here want to come up with. Trotz all but eliminated that reason with what he said. This season is on Lou if he drops the ball today and the team sputters it’s on him. The past is the past including success Lameriello has had. He knows that and if anyone doesn’t think so they’re fooling themselves.

I was thinking that might be too much youth to have Romanov and Dobson together. But I'm sure it'll be fine. A little grit paired with some finesse. Also have Salo and Aho waiting for their shot.
- Isleshockeyman

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see them sign a vet dman still.

I was thinking that might be too much youth to have Romanov and Dobson together. But I'm sure it'll be fine. A little grit paired with some finesse. Also have Salo and Aho waiting for their shot.
- Isleshockeyman

I think Lou tries to make a low cost vet addition for the bottom pair. I’m not sure who that would be but I doubt he goes with Salo as a lock for the 3rd pairing.

If that’s the case and the division improves, which by all accounts it’s positioned to do so, Lameriello will get deservedly flamed for it. At this point there are no excuses imo. Lameriello’s job is to sell the team. If he can’t do that then he’s not doing his job. Everything else is just an excuse and the time for excuses has come and gone. He fired Trotz which was a big statement. No he wasn’t doing Trotz a favor or whatever other reason people on here want to come up with. Trotz all but eliminated that reason with what he said. This season is on Lou if he drops the ball today and the team sputters it’s on him. The past is the past including success Lameriello has had. He knows that and if anyone doesn’t think so they’re fooling themselves.
- Cptmjl

Keep in my mind when Lou spoke going into the offseason he mentioned getting more goal production from his defense and the underperfomance of his forwards. To me that didn't suggest an urgency to add a JG type guy. Plus we all know Lou doesn't give a fug about what anyone thinks.

Keep in my mind when Lou spoke going into the offseason he mentioned getting more goal production from his defense and the underperfomance of his forwards. To me that didn't suggest an urgency to add a JG type guy. Plus we all know Lou doesn't give a fug about what anyone thinks.
- keaner17

Yeah I get it but it also doesn’t matter whether he gives a (frank) about what anyone else thinks. If this team fails to compete the season is a failure. If we don’t find a way to add some offense to our top 6 we more then likely aren’t competing in this division.

If that’s the case and the division improves, which by all accounts it’s positioned to do so, Lameriello will get deservedly flamed for it. At this point there are no excuses imo. Lameriello’s job is to sell the team. If he can’t do that then he’s not doing his job. Everything else is just an excuse and the time for excuses has come and gone. He fired Trotz which was a big statement. No he wasn’t doing Trotz a favor or whatever other reason people on here want to come up with. Trotz all but eliminated that reason with what he said. This season is on Lou if he drops the ball today and the team sputters it’s on him. The past is the past including success Lameriello has had. He knows that and if anyone doesn’t think so they’re fooling themselves.
- Cptmjl

Not necessarily today. But maybe this offseason. JG is going to Jersey. Maybe Lou lands Tank with a trade.

Not necessarily today. But maybe this offseason. JG is going to Jersey. Maybe Lou lands Tank with a trade.
- Isleshockeyman

Timo Meir or Fedetenko?

Timo Meir or Fedetenko?
- Cptmjl

Meier…

Then we can have Timo and Tito on the same line.

Exactly. Everyone is forgetting that elephant in the room. Ideally they would move both and take a chance on one of bellows or Wahlstrom stepping up into a full time role. Obviously Beau would be the easier of the two but I don’t think there’s a huge market for either. We have a shot here, Lameriello has to sell the team to Gaudreau and make this happen.
- Cptmjl

I keep reminding myself that Lou was the GM who basically invented front loading contracts. Whether anyone agreed or disagreed with it, it was a genius way to circumvent the cap. Hes a math guy.....i have faith. If its not Gaudreau, im sure he's got a plan. This aint "we believe in our guys" Snowjob (in year 12 of the same roster)

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see them sign a vet dman still.
- keaner17

I get defense is important but it seems like an obsession with Lou and the Isles.

I know I’m alone on this but I think it’s time to move on from Leddy.
- Cptmjl

You're not alone....clearly Lou agrees. His top 4 is set for years

I just copied this from the Leafs thread. I have no idea where he's getting his numbers from but I think it's pretty damn funny. Sandin, Engvall, 3 forwards for the 4th line and a depth defenseman for combined $6.5m. Can't make this sh!t up.


I've got Sandin and Engvall at a combined $3M and the 4th line and depth Dman are going to get a combined $3.5M.

That leaves $4.3M for the 3rd line winger and the back up goalie.

I know I’m alone on this but I think it’s time to move on from Leddy.
- Cptmjl

I do not see him being a huge need at this point. I see no issue trying Salo in a 3rd pair role.

I get defense is important but it seems like an obsession with Lou and the Isles.
- ses111

I'm just curious if Lou is setting aside $1m for Chara if he decides to come back.

I'm just curious if Lou is setting aside $1m for Chara if he decides to come back.
- Isleshockeyman

I'm a huge fan of Chara but enough already.

I get defense is important but it seems like an obsession with Lou and the Isles.
- ses111

As he should. There hadn’t been a Cup winner that I can recall without a VERY solid top 4.

I do not seem him being a huge need at this point. I see no issue trying Salo in a 3rd pair role.
- ses111

Then who is your 6th defenseman? Aho? Or are you thinking low end UFA?

The who is your 6th defenseman? Aho? Or are you thinking low end UFA?
- Isleshockeyman

Salo and Mayfield as the 3rd pair and Romanov on 2nd pair.

As he should. There hadn’t been a Cup winner that I can recall without a VERY solid top 4.
- Wildschwein

Isles just picked up Romanov. There is not a huge need in the top 4 now.

Isles just picked up Romanov. There is not a huge need in the top 4 now.
- ses111

Exactly.

Robert Thomas just signed for 8 per.

The noose tightens in the Blues cap wise.