Thoughts on Jason Arnott on a 1-year deal to add some C depth (NHL-ready C depth) to an organization sorely lacking it?
- Hawksfan37
I have friends who say he is jerk...
but I certainly feel he is one jerk who weakens the Blues by his absence.
I have to agree that Stan has to be on the lookout for a NHL centre, and just let the futures develop.
But all this continued talk about "second line centre" amuses me...they are one hit away from lossing their franchise centre in any game, in any season for the rest of Tazer's contract. I am not saying it because I like it, wish it, but you cannot ignore it.
But if you look up and down the NHL rosters, there simply isn't a surplus available, unless you make a blockbuster deal, or sudden;y one of the early choices like Strome and Huberdeau waltz into Isles & Panther camps and TAKE away a centre position.
I really think the plan in both cities is to start them as wings, because they skate well enough to become stop/start players as well as the can play fluid always moving centreman.
Then I take a step back, see that Huberdeau wilted, disapppeared and disappointed as a World Junior wing, and the highly skilled shooter Strome plays undisplined against under twenties.
I have combed the NHL rosters for some time and the guy I liked more than a season ago, Frans Niesen of the Islanders had a 17 goal season and probably pumped his value past the point where he could be acquired without significant trade payout.
He's about 28, and really good with the puck, and has good touch, instincts, and sniperablity. More of a finese player, but certainly no wussy.
But again there would have to be a total Brooklyn Isle commit to Ryan Strome as a major league centre position for his to even be thought of as a chip they could trade.
The same concept of "some young rookies steps up before the vet centre becomes a trading chip" applies to Florida.
and also to Ottawa.
Mika Zibanejad would HAVE to be ready for prime time. (They already told him to not got to the world Juniors so he could play minor pro and develop.)
The Senators plan on Jakob Silfverberg to PLAY here and play on the top two as a RW.
Both Swededs are at Binghamton (AHL) but the almost three year older Silfverberg is leading the team in scoring and Zibanejad has ONE goal.
I just don't see JJ suggestion of Zack Smith for hawk players as a possibly, since that weakens THEIR middle much more than one of our defenseman strengthens their back end.
The Hawks purposefully brought in to penalty-killing defenseman in Brookbank and Rozsival for one reason: they take away much of the duties from the others.
The FIVE others get to play even strength more.
Whomever suggested the hawks suit up seven defenders a game may be on the right track. If they don't get fair and eaqual return on any of the group, I don't suppose they are bargain basementing them.
Long term they have to be concerned about developing a top line centre.
Teraveinen (a year younger than most participants) played Left wing and a few shifts at RW when they double shifted wing Armia & the later injured centre Miro Aaltonen.
(the younger Granlund also played wing in his tourney and was then eleveated to centre.)
But at this juncture TT is a good stop start. reposition, fluid mover, but not a guy who ever plans to go into the corners to win puck battles.
Don't get me wrong I saw him strip both US & canada defenseman of pucks they were trying to pass out, but it wasn't with physiclal engagement.
McNeill has the physical part but they hands may be along time coming, and Danault is a defense first centreman.
Whether you play Beach, Saad, or older Hayes at pivot to see them as more "motion players" as opposed to wings, there doesn't seem like the Toews replacement guy is in the system, just slowly developing.
I think whenever the chance permits they will take a run at Ryan Getzlaf.
They will ask, wait, ask again later...no dire need in Bowman's tone.
But whether you see Getzlaf as declining, full of two plus seasons of barin farts, he still is you best alternative to a long term fill if the the worst happens to Jonathan Toews.
I really belive the Cap will never be an issues on acquiring him. They will just make space.
), and somebody has to take the next step to be a threat in the bottom 6.