Sam Hitchcock: How BriseBois Could Lose Leverage in Talks with Point

Great Article Sam, definitely my favourite in a long time.
Personally I'd like to see Point signed to ease my blood pressure back down, but there's no guarantee.
I personally think Point should be our No. 1 C and move Stamkos to the wing. Something I didn't see enough of last season was creativity and driving the net which is something I'd hope Stamkos can achieve outside of a C role, we got to see that one play where he got around Jones in game 4, but obviously we need more of that. I would like to see Cirelli at least given a chance at the second line C spot, he seems like he has lots of potential, but we have seen trouble before with guys not showing chemistry, which could be blamed on Cooper for his constant line juggling, some guys need time to get a feel for each other. If Cirelli doesn't show staying power on the second line we give it to Johnson in this scenario. And I will personally vouch for Palat, I think if he wasn't plagued by injuries he would have locked in as our No. 1 LW years ago.
Here is some examples of what I hope to see....

Speaking of the bottom six, are there any possible prospects that could make the jump this year?

Palat - Point - Kucherov
Gourde - Cirelli - Stamkos
Killorn - Johnson - Joseph
Maroon - Paquette - Martel

I can't personally say who deserves a crack first from the guys in the minors, but I'd like to see Stephens and Verheaghe, Boulet maybe for a handful of games.

My biggest concern with what I propose is the second line, I'm not a fan or reuniting our famous one-timer pair of Kucherov and Stamkos as we became reliant on that at times. Having said that I don't look at the second line as being a good corsi or +/- line, I think they all forecheck enough and have skill, but Gourde and Stamkos are snipers and unless Cirelli finds a step in his playmaking ability this could be a line that fails to move the puck and has to rely on the defense to jump in and could hinder Cirelli's development thusly.
The first line, if Palat manages to stay healthy, I think could be beautiful and the third and fourth should be productive I think. I wouldn't mind moving out Johnson/Killorn for someone with a touch more playmaking and then move Gourde back to the third line, but I don't see any moves occurring too soon. Could Boulet be the answer to addressing a complement to our 2nd line? I don't know, but I have to imagine we need to make some adjustments to help things click in the middle 6.

Speaking of the bottom six, are there any possible prospects that could make the jump this year?
- jvar17

I'm hoping, but I didn't watch any of the Syracuse games last year. I would like to see Stephen's personally and perhaps Verheaghe. I've read that some think Thomas might be ready on defense to begin transitioning and Masin has been back there for a while as well. Boulet would be nice to see for a short while.

Wow ... that’s a brutally honest critique for a team that roasted the league.

Bolts will be fine me thinks.

You never get better w/o your best player, but they have enough runway to survive it for a while.

We have the best blogger.

If BriseBois can't sign Point, then Yzerman will.

I'm hoping, but I didn't watch any of the Syracuse games last year. I would like to see Stephen's personally and perhaps Verheaghe. I've read that some think Thomas might be ready on defense to begin transitioning and Masin has been back there for a while as well. Boulet would be nice to see for a short while.
- BoltsFan1993

Yeah, the best case scenario would be to have a few prospects that overtake players like Palat, Killorn, Gourde, etc on the second and third line so that they're expendable. We're going to have to shed some cap sooner rather than later. Any know if Taylor Raddysh or Boris Katchouk are likely to make the roster? I remember seeing somewhere that they were two players who were close to being NHL ready.

If BriseBois can't sign Point, then Yzerman will.
- uofcguy

Point will sign but it would be interesting to know the real numbers getting kicked around.

Is JBB taking a hard line with Point? I doubt thats the case I'm sure they are working to a compromise. All these RFAs remained unsigned as of today so it will be real interesting to see the real numbers once they start signing.

word is Dan Girardi was at the Lightning practice facility today

not sure if that means anything as far as bringing him back or not

word is Dan Girardi was at the Lightning practice facility today

not sure if that means anything as far as bringing him back or not
- jimbro83

I think we have a vacant water boy spot.

I actually wouldn't mind having Girardi added to the coaching staff in some capacity. At this point, that's where his only real value is

I think the Aho contract should help you. Point would be great on a 5 year 8.6M AAV if that is an option. Personally, I think Aho's contract is a bargain. If he had better wingers he would have notched 100 points.

If BriseBois can't sign Point, then Yzerman will.
- uofcguy

I heard there actually were some rumors about Point somehow coming to Detroit. But I didn't think they were credible in any way. The asking price would be more than Detoit could afford to pay in terms of their prospects I'd imagine. Seems like he'd want to stay with a contender in Tampa instead of a rebuild that's halfway done.

He's the type of elite player the Wings need though...

Elliotte Freidman said on NHL Network last night that most people think that Brayden Point will be the first RFA to sign and its likely to be a 3 year deal so the question then becomes what the number ends up being. I'll take that.

Elliotte Freidman said on NHL Network last night that most people think that Brayden Point will be the first RFA to sign and its likely to be a 3 year deal so the question then becomes what the number ends up being. I'll take that.
- stammerman

This seems more realistic then the 8x8 rumour that is floating around on twitter. Kuch, Johnson, Palat, Vasy all signed 3-year deals after their ELC.

I have a feeling it will get done next week. Gonna text EK later.