I doubt Florida gets rid of their young guys. Fleischman would be pretty cool I guess.
- shvingter88

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

"The Panthers would like to move Scottie Upshall, Tomas Fleischmann, Brad Boyes, Tomas Kopecky, Marcel Goc and Shawn Mattias before the trade deadline. There is lots of interest in Dmitry Kulikov, but he may bolt for the KHL."

They only players they won't trade are players like Hubureau and Barkov, Bjustad, some other young guys and Brain Campbell. Everyone else is fair game

I just posted something similar that if we where to trade guys like Zajac or Greene. You know guys who aren't completely useless it has to be for a clear upgrade or for a young guy. Though i'm not sure oilers trade hall for that he is pretty (frank)ing good. Would love him though reunite him with henrique.
- NickA

I think numbers aren't everything and you look at how well Zajac plays against the other teams top lines and gets a good chunk of the defensive zone starts and pretty much anything Todd has said about shots allowed vs for while he is on the ice it's pretty impressive and likely has a lot more to do with winning then putting up that extra 20 points and being quite a bit worse defensively. They still would have Eberle, Yaks Gagner and Nuge they might move Gagner after that deal to get another winger but it immensely improves their overall team defense and they still have some pretty damn good weapons. Also every move Mac T has done since becoming GM has been about winning now. He traded MPS for Perron, he brought in Bryz he signed Gordon and Ference picked up Gazdic. Everything he has done so far has been to improve the team now. They are getting very tired of losing and I think Greene and Zajac help them win now and for the next 5-8 years. I am sure if we went to the Oil blog they would say hell no but players don't get traded for the haul we invision 90% of the time and it would make them better so I don't see why they wouldn't do it if Lou where to actually call and offer that deal. Lou wouldn't though.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

"The Panthers would like to move Scottie Upshall, Tomas Fleischmann, Brad Boyes, Tomas Kopecky, Marcel Goc and Shawn Mattias before the trade deadline. There is lots of interest in Dmitry Kulikov, but he may bolt for the KHL."

They only players they won't trade are players like Hubureau and Barkov, Bjustad, some other young guys and Brain Campbell. Everyone else is fair game
- Devils9503

Howden

I think numbers aren't everything and you look at how well Zajac plays against the other teams top lines and gets a good chunk of the defensive zone starts and pretty much anything Todd has said about shots allowed vs for while he is on the ice it's pretty impressive and likely has a lot more to do with winning then putting up that extra 20 points and being quite a bit worse defensively. They still would have Eberle, Yaks Gagner and Nuge they might move Gagner after that deal to get another winger but it immensely improves their overall team defense and they still have some pretty damn good weapons. Also every move Mac T has done since becoming GM has been about winning now. He traded MPS for Perron, he brought in Bryz he signed Gordon and Ference picked up Gazdic. Everything he has done so far has been to improve the team now. They are getting very tired of losing and I think Greene and Zajac help them win now and for the next 5-8 years. I am sure if we went to the Oil blog they would say hell no but players don't get traded for the haul we invision 90% of the time and it would make them better so I don't see why they wouldn't do it if Lou where to actually call and offer that deal. Lou wouldn't though.
- blizzzard

Very well put. I would rather hold on to Zajac and Greene but for a player like Hall it be worth it. Even if we would never win a faceoff again this year.

Very well put. I would rather hold on to Zajac and Greene but for a player like Hall it be worth it. Even if we would never win a faceoff again this year.
- NickA

Also they would probably trade one of Ganger, Yakapov, or eberle befor hall. Hall seems like a future captain if im building a team I'd hold onto him and nuge before the other guys.

I'm all for adding Kopecky and Fleischman just as long as we keep the few guys who contribute and fit on our team already. Like zubrus, greene, zajac. They aren't the greatest but unless we are getting evander kane or eberle for them we are more than likely making a lateral move. Not saying we can get kane or eberle for any of those 3 but it has to be a clear upgrade for it to be worth it. Or at least for a guy age 20-26.
- NickA

As you said, I wouldn't mind keeping Zajac, Zubrus, and Greene, as long as we can somewhat younger especially on defense. Hell we really don't need some of the guys we have like Sal, Volch, Harrold, and Zid. Larsson, Greene, Gelly, Fayne, Merrill would be five and add another two like say Kulikov and a 7th deman and we'd be fine.

Fleischman-Zajac-Jagr
Elias-Henrique-Zubrus
Tlusty-Matthais-Kopecky
CBGB

I would love that lineup.

Very well put. I would rather hold on to Zajac and Greene but for a player like Hall it be worth it. Even if we would never win a faceoff again this year.
- NickA

A center man can be added via f/a to win draws it isn't good for grabbing 4-5 pieces you need but can be good to shore up a weakness such as that. Henrique is getting better the more he plays but the thing is half the time he is being moved from center to wing. I think we have a young enough core to move them both if we get a young player of Hall's Calibur but if not there isn't a point of making a package of both Greene and Zajac as the hole is going to be big but you hope only for a year or two. Say we move Greene yes right now he is our best defense man but you hope a guy like Larsson Gelinas or Merril can fill his role within the next 2-3 years and same guys for Zajac you hope that Henrique can fill the hole he left and can add a small piece via free agency. I think we have the pieces here to replace both guys might not happen the day the trade happens but I think you make that sacrafice when acquiring a franchise caliber player.

Also they would probably trade one of Ganger, Yakapov, or eberle befor hall. Hall seems like a future captain if im building a team I'd hold onto him and nuge before the other guys.
- NickA

I would to but when a trade is offered that makes you're team better you usually do it. Unless it only makes you better for that year but I think Greene and Zajac make them better for at least 5 years while you also have their young guys growing and they don't get left the hard defensive assignments that they are getting now. Imagine if Nuge didn't have to be matched against the Crosby's that would help him a lot. I agree that those two are their two keepers but can they afford to give one up ? I think so. Yaks and Ebs are star players and Nuge and Hall will be frnachise guys so yea they would part with Ebs and Yaks before those to but you don't trade Zajac and Greene for one of those guys the hole becomes to big for the reward you are getting.

A center man can be added via f/a to win draws it isn't good for grabbing 4-5 pieces you need but can be good to shore up a weakness such as that. Henrique is getting better the more he plays but the thing is half the time he is being moved from center to wing. I think we have a young enough core to move them both if we get a young player of Hall's Calibur but if not there isn't a point of making a package of both Greene and Zajac as the hole is going to be big but you hope only for a year or two. Say we move Greene yes right now he is our best defense man but you hope a guy like Larsson Gelinas or Merril can fill his role within the next 2-3 years and same guys for Zajac you hope that Henrique can fill the hole he left and can add a small piece via free agency. I think we have the pieces here to replace both guys might not happen the day the trade happens but I think you make that sacrafice when acquiring a franchise caliber player.
- blizzzard

For sure the key is that caliber of playing getting back has to make it worth it for us. I just wouldn't be okay shipping off Greene and Zajac for picks/ prospects. As the pick wouldn't be top 10 or even top 20 probably and the prospect is a prospect. Say we trade greene for a guy like Connolly or etem and a pick. That to me is a bad move and the chances it helps us in the future are slim. Yes Larsson, Merril, Gelly or someone could step in and probably do what greene does in 2-3 years but i think i'd rather greene playing harolds role than acquiring a prospect like a conolly or etem. Now for a young player like Eberle, hall, Kane someone like this yes im all for it. I think we are on the same page.

I would to but when a trade is offered that makes you're team better you usually do it. Unless it only makes you better for that year but I think Greene and Zajac make them better for at least 5 years while you also have their young guys growing and they don't get left the hard defensive assignments that they are getting now. Imagine if Nuge didn't have to be matched against the Crosby's that would help him a lot. I agree that those two are their two keepers but can they afford to give one up ? I think so. Yaks and Ebs are star players and Nuge and Hall will be frnachise guys so yea they would part with Ebs and Yaks before those to but you don't trade Zajac and Greene for one of those guys the hole becomes to big for the reward you are getting.
- blizzzard

Ebs im on the fence with moving Greene or Zajac for. It could be worth it he's a goal scorer but (frank) losing Zajac would make us terrible. We saw how important he was when he went down.

For sure the key is that caliber of playing getting back has to make it worth it for us. I just wouldn't be okay shipping off Greene and Zajac for picks/ prospects. As the pick wouldn't be top 10 or even top 20 probably and the prospect is a prospect. Say we trade greene for a guy like Connolly or etem and a pick. That to me is a bad move and the chances it helps us in the future are slim. Yes Larsson, Merril, Gelly or someone could step in and probably do what greene does in 2-3 years but i think i'd rather greene playing harolds role than acquiring a prospect like a conolly or etem. Now for a young player like Eberle, hall, Kane someone like this yes im all for it. I think we are on the same page.
- NickA

I might Trade Greene for Etem or Connolly but I wouldn't even consider Zajac and Greene for either of those two guys. Greene is a guy I see grabbing us a great return if we wanted to move him. This year might not be the right year to do it but maybe next year that becomes more of a reality because the young kids will have that much more NHL experience under their belts. I am for Trading Greene as he is 31 he has a great contract right now and would give a way better return then the guys like Harrold, Volchenkov, Salvador, Brunner, Ryder, Zidlicky. I know he is our best defense man but I just don't know by how much and if all the other guys could pitch in as a unit to fill the hole. I don't think he should be shopped or am forcing him out but if a young promising player that also happened to be a forwad was offered up for him I can't see me not seriously considering it or accepting in.

Ebs im on the fence with moving Greene or Zajac for. It could be worth it he's a goal scorer but (frank) losing Zajac would make us terrible. We saw how important he was when he went down.
- NickA

Thats why I tried to make it clear in my posts for anyone else reading it that I realize the hole that both those guys would leave but if Hall becomes a 50 goal scorer in the next 2-3 years how can you say you lost that deal. Hall has a bigger frame to and still can fill out more so I like him a lot more to be a franchise piece then I do Ebs. I love Ebs and he is a great scorer but he is more of a very nice piece you add to complement someone else. Hall can likely do everything on his own when fully developed.

As you said, I wouldn't mind keeping Zajac, Zubrus, and Greene, as long as we can somewhat younger especially on defense. Hell we really don't need some of the guys we have like Sal, Volch, Harrold, and Zid. Larsson, Greene, Gelly, Fayne, Merrill would be five and add another two like say Kulikov and a 7th deman and we'd be fine.

Fleischman-Zajac-Jagr
Elias-Henrique-Zubrus
Tlusty-Matthais-Kopecky
CBGB

I would love that lineup.
- Devils9503

Man oh man those are some serious changes. I'd be surprised if they take our garbage for respectable players. With that said, I can definitely see Tlusty.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

"The Panthers would like to move Scottie Upshall, Tomas Fleischmann, Brad Boyes, Tomas Kopecky, Marcel Goc and Shawn Mattias before the trade deadline. There is lots of interest in Dmitry Kulikov, but he may bolt for the KHL."

They only players they won't trade are players like Hubureau and Barkov, Bjustad, some other young guys and Brain Campbell. Everyone else is fair game
- Devils9503

Fire sale

As you said, I wouldn't mind keeping Zajac, Zubrus, and Greene, as long as we can somewhat younger especially on defense. Hell we really don't need some of the guys we have like Sal, Volch, Harrold, and Zid. Larsson, Greene, Gelly, Fayne, Merrill would be five and add another two like say Kulikov and a 7th deman and we'd be fine.

Fleischman-Zajac-Jagr
Elias-Henrique-Zubrus
Tlusty-Matthais-Kopecky
CBGB

I would love that lineup.
- Devils9503

Yeah I'm sure they'll take our crap for their good players

Yeah I'm sure they'll take our crap for their good players
- shvingter88

If only we where Chicago then they would take our poo

Man oh man those are some serious changes. I'd be surprised if they take our garbage for respectable players. With that said, I can definitely see Tlusty.
- willschulme

Serious changes for the better imo. I'm not saying Florida would take Brunner or Ryder but maybe Carolina does. Also I think it would depend what Florida wanted for those guys. I think Fleischman, Kulikov, and Tlusty would cost the most, but than again you never know. Look what we gave up for Kovy and that was for a 40 goal scorer. And for Tlusty, Carolina gave away McBain for Sekera, who I think is better than him, IMO I think Buffalo completely won that trade. So dumb trades can occur. I don't think getting any of the players I've mentioned besides maybe Kulikov would cost us important players for the future of the team. Who knows what Teddy could do with say Barkov, Huburbeau, or Bjudstad. Maybe JJ gets moved to the wing for them and does great. Never know

Not really. Think of it like this, that third line would be Teddy, Lokti, and JJ, but they are always out of the lineup. It's just new faces, that's it. Also I think it would depend what Florida wanted for those guys. I think Fleischman, Kulikov, and Tlusty would cost the most, but than again you never know. Look what we gave up for Kovy and that was for a 40 goal scorer. Maybe Florida wants some younger guys. And for Tlusty, Carolina gave away McBain for Sekera, who I think is better than him, IMO I think Buffalo completely won that trade. So dumb trades can occur. I don't think get any of the players I've mentioned besides maybe Kulikov would cost us important players for the future of the team. Who knows what Teddy could do with say Barkov, Huburbeau, or Bjudstad. Maybe JJ gets moved to the wing for them and does great. Never know
- Devils9503

The thing about the internet is everyone thinks player X gets this this and that if he is moved but it rarely happens. There are always reasons as to why a player is being moved that are taken into account when talking about the return. A fan of a fan base might not want to part with an asset unless it's for X return but like it or not they are not the GM's and trade's like Moulson and a first for Vanek happen. How fast is Boston going to regret moving Seguin for Loui who is a great player but isn't on the level Seguin is and will be but again Seguin was seen as imature and a whole slue of other players where included in that trade. If a gm thinks they are improving their team they will make the trade.

Dropped 1 of 3 games on the West Coast road trip and the doom squad comes out strong as ever.
- TheJerseyDevil1

If I'm honest with myself, I think a 9-9-5 record is an overachievement for this roster. The division is so poopty they have a shot, but they shouldn't.

The thing about the internet is everyone thinks player X gets this this and that if he is moved but it rarely happens. There are always reasons as to why a player is being moved that are taken into account when talking about the return. A fan of a fan base might not want to part with an asset unless it's for X return but like it or not they are not the GM's and trade's like Moulson and a first for Vanek happen. How fast is Boston going to regret moving Seguin for Loui who is a great player but isn't on the level Seguin is and will be but again Seguin was seen as imature and a whole slue of other players where included in that trade. If a gm thinks they are improving their team they will make the trade.
- blizzzard

Exactly. I believe the reason McBain was traded because he didn't get along with the coach. Say a team like Carolina may think Brunner would thrive with E.Staal and Semin and might want him. Who knows what's going on behind closed doors.

I feel like we need at least 2 forwards, (under 30) who can score 20 goals a season and are good in the defensive zone. Also, one prime-aged top 4 defeseman that is amazing defensively and can help the offense and play the point on the PP.

Agreed and Cory doomsday brigade need to relax a bit as well. When he gets hot and Marty cools off he will start more it already happened when Marty was struggling earlier in the year. As long we a trading off dead weight not guys who contribute and should contribute in the future for picks or young prospects im all for making moves. Even for those taking about a retool that doesn't mean trade off everyone it means cut ties with the guys who don't fit like Brunner, Zid, Harold, Fayne, Lokti, Ryder, etc.. Need to keep some vets around and plus tanking has and never will be Lou's style need to realize this by now it's not going to change.
- NickA

For me it's not so much his number of starts, though it will be interesting to see if Cory and Marty finish the year 50/50, but more the fact that he's a UFA & can bolt from a francghise that offers very little reason to stay other than being a starter (if Marty ever retires ). A real competative goalie who wants a Cup wouldn't be very inclined to stay here given the state of the franchise in terms of prospects or lack thereof, not to mention no 1st rounder this season, and an inability to lure top Free Agents even with Brodeur in net.

It's hard for someone to objectively see this franchise as a contender.

They've done a glorious job until this point of proving people wrong (myself included to be honest), but at some point the rabbit's foot runs out of juice & Lou's moves in the last few years leave a lot to be desired.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun:

"The Panthers would like to move Scottie Upshall, Tomas Fleischmann, Brad Boyes, Tomas Kopecky, Marcel Goc and Shawn Mattias before the trade deadline. There is lots of interest in Dmitry Kulikov, but he may bolt for the KHL."

They only players they won't trade are players like Hubureau and Barkov, Bjustad, some other young guys and Brain Campbell. Everyone else is fair game
- Devils9503

Upshall would probably do well in DeBoner's system. Everyone else is second-rate (we have a ton of 3rd/4th liners already) or injury-prone.

Can't see anyone worth it. If the asking price is bottom barrel why not, but realistically, where would they slot in? Yeah, Brunner and Ryder haven't been lighting the world on fire, but I think Lou is too proud to call his moves a bust already & look to replace them. He'll ride and/or die with his signings.

Everyone needs to calm down, we're 6-2-1 in our last 9 and everyone's talking about how terrible we are. I agree that Brunner and Ryder have been bad since the first few games, but I think it's still a bit early to decree they are a huge waste blah blah blah.

To me Brunner is at a point where he just needs some confidence, one game where he gets a couple points for him to get back on a bit of a role like he was at the start of the season. Ryder just has to shoot more. The way I see it, the way we're playing now, if those two get going with the way the rest of the team is playing it'd be huge for us.

As far as Erat, I'd only be down if we got rid of a bad contract as part of the deal, as in trade them Volchenkov, Clowe, maybe Salvador. Who knows, maybe Erat would be good on the New Jersey Czech All Stars.

Everyone needs to calm down, we're 6-2-1 in our last 9 and everyone's talking about how terrible we are.
- MannySilvers

Should be 4-4-1. We didn't deserve to win any of the California games. Got totally outplayed and this is why everyone's freaking out.