So then wouldn't the smart play to make Simmonds available for a LW with more skill.

Yes I know what Simmonds brings but is it so much he can't be moved for a more pressing need? You might be able to get a nice package for simmonds.
- J35Bacher

The issue with Simmonds being dealt is-and I'm not saying no way in Hell-that moving him seriously reduces the physicality of the forward group.

The issue with Simmonds being dealt is-and I'm not saying no way in Hell-that moving him seriously reduces the physicality of the forward group.
- Jsaquella

To me.. Simmonds is part of the core group we should hang on to. He is far from the problem on this team.

I don't think he's the "rah rah" guy or the "Fear of God" type of captain. I'm sure he is well respected in the room and that he's willing to speak his mind, but I don't really think "Captain" when I think of him. Guys like Primeau, Pronger, and even Hatcher and Forsberg, seemed like more captain material. Just my thoughts.
- jmatchett383

What IS and good "captain"? It's so subjective and intangible. But I don't think the issue is Giroux's captaincy. That's simplifying a complex issue. Is he the best captain? I don't know. Is he a bad one? I don't know. We're not in the locker room so we don't know anything about that. Besides, these are grown men. If one person has to keep them doing their jobs and playing hard, they all need some therapy.

If we trade Simmonds than this team would literally have no heart or fight in them left. IMO
- GOA88

Right now I would take skill. I just want some more natural skill on the wing

Look no further than last season. Team is in the toilet, he's struggling. he picks up the team and basically carried them to the playoffs. That's all I need to see to not question his leadership.
- Jsaquella

I totally agree. There should be no question about anything Giroux brings to this team. He had the balls to go out and say this team would make the playoffs last year after being 1-7.
He has shown up every game this year along with Mason and Jake. It's too bad no one else has

Is this even remotely serious? Giroux is one of the only players doing anything productive, along with Voracek. His numbers aren't just "not bad" he's sixth in the NHL in scoring-and doing that on a team where he and the guy near the top of the scoring race are the only two productive players.
- Jsaquella

I'm convinced anyone that says it's time to change out Giroux as captain hasn't been paying attention.

Look no further than last season. Team is in the toilet, he's struggling. he picks up the team and basically carried them to the playoffs. That's all I need to see to not question his leadership.
- Jsaquella

The C on Giroux's chest isn't for "Captain" it's for "sCapegoat"

Maybe they could use Umberger and/or VLC.
- jmatchett383

Umberger for Hartnell

I don't know too much about Hartnell but he'd be an upgrade over Umberger for sure.

To me.. Simmonds is part of the core group we should hang on to. He is far from the problem on this team.
- GOA88

Agreed.

If they get an insane return, Id listen, but you're not likely to get his skill/snarl package at a similar cap hit anywhere else.

I think the Jackets pissed off the injury ninja...Artem Anisimov out 2-3 months with a torn triceps.
- Jsaquella

It's their bad karma for trading us RJ

Never should have passed his physical

What IS and good "captain"? It's so subjective and intangible. But I don't think the issue is Giroux's captaincy. That's simplifying a complex issue. Is he the best captain? I don't know. Is he a bad one? I don't know. We're not in the locker room so we don't know anything about that. Besides, these are grown men. If one person has to keep them doing their jobs and playing hard, they all need some therapy.
- NickTheKid87

I guarantee Hextall is evaluating each and every player on the team as we speak. Whole sale changes will be coming soon to cut dead weight. I will be completely surprised if we dont see a new roster by next season. Im talking like at least half this roster gone.

Not at all. I was told how badly we needed to get rid of these guys constantly. Well, that's what we've gotten. In their place, we have VLC, Umberger, and a young MDZ. How have those 3 worked out compared to the other 3 as a whole?
- jmatchett383

they needed to unload Briere's and Hartnell's deals. Timonen was wanted back. I am not complaining about MDZ at all. Glad they got him. signing Vinny for that long is obviously a mistake. they get out of one bad deal and immediately bring in another. Umberger is just a hot mess but I still do understand wanting out of Hartnell's deal. Just wish they could have gotten better picks back.

I swear it seems like Homer started out his tenure as GM well then just started to throw poop together without thought.

The issue with Simmonds being dealt is-and I'm not saying no way in Hell-that moving him seriously reduces the physicality of the forward group.
- Jsaquella

I understand that. I guess i would just prefer more natural skill. I think you can find phsicallity. Other then the PP he just doesn't seem to have this nice fit on any line. yes the line right now is playuing well but I feel a lot of that is how laughton and raffl seem to be controling the puck and being aggressive.

Look no further than last season. Team is in the toilet, he's struggling. he picks up the team and basically carried them to the playoffs. That's all I need to see to not question his leadership.
- Jsaquella

I'm not saying he's a bad captain, just that I don't think he's an especially great one. I like the kind of guy who can look everyone in the room in the eye, not have to say a word, and is able to make his point.

Same

(orange pilon logo is hilariously appropriate, tho)
- Tomahawk

I'm glad somebody caught the logo joke

I was going to post the guy from Billy Madison, but I refrained.
- Jsaquella

The C on Giroux's chest isn't for "Captain" it's for "sCapegoat"
- NickTheKid87

It's for "inCapable" and "A Bad Leader (C)"

I'm convinced anyone that says it's time to change out Giroux as captain hasn't been paying attention.
- johndewar

Yup

Right now I would take skill. I just want some more natural skill on the wing
- J35Bacher

Find another way to get it. KEEP Simmonds. Trade Read and a defender for a LW.

I'm not saying he's a bad captain, just that I don't think he's an especially great one. I like the kind of guy who can look everyone in the room in the eye, not have to say a word, and is able to make his point.
- jmatchett383

I think Giroux does that. Look at what happened when Forsberg was captain, or even Hatcher.

I'm convinced anyone that says it's time to change out Giroux as captain hasn't been paying attention.
- johndewar

He seems like a pretty good captain, from what I've witnessed. Gets along w/ everybody, keeps things on an even keel, leads by example, is eager to take the bull by the horns, and he's one of the most competitive, fiery guys on the team.

IMO, it's not his fault the team is full of overpaid driftwood. It's not that they won't play better or buy-in... it's because some of them simply can't.

If we trade Simmonds than this team would literally have no heart or fight in them left. IMO
- GOA88

Is this the new "literally" where it means the opposite of "literally?"

I'm not saying he's a bad captain, just that I don't think he's an especially great one. I like the kind of guy who can look everyone in the room in the eye, not have to say a word, and is able to make his point.
- jmatchett383

They are a dime a dozen though.

Like someone else said, Giroux went out of his way last year during the putrid start and said the team would make the playoffs. He then carried them to the first round. That's all I need to see from him.

Is this a test for Giroux as a leader? Absolutely. But he's been down this road before and it's worked.

I don't think he's the "rah rah" guy or the "Fear of God" type of captain. I'm sure he is well respected in the room and that he's willing to speak his mind, but I don't really think "Captain" when I think of him. Guys like Primeau, Pronger, and even Hatcher and Forsberg, seemed like more captain material. Just my thoughts.
- jmatchett383

I wholeheartedly agree.

I think Giroux does that. Look at what happened when Forsberg was captain, or even Hatcher.
- Jsaquella

They lost in the first round, just like the team has so far with Giroux, despite them being physically debilitated as opposed to healthy in the prime of their careers?