Btw...
How much have u been liking your boy Girgensons on a line with Eichel lately?
Small sample size,
But it doesn't look like they'll be getting split up any time soon
- jdfitz77

I had been complaining I wanted to see the two of them together after the first game of the year. It was clearly visible that Eichel needed someone who doesn't like to necessarily carry the puck (like Kane does) but that is capable of keeping up with him. Girgensons fits that description perfectly. AND he drives the net, which is something this team seems to struggle to do most of the time.

I also think having him out there with Eichel helps when it comes to the defensive side of things as well.

I want them to lose every game 4-3 from here on out

of course my mind can change at 5 pm when I finish this 12 pack of sierra
- homiedclown

Disappointing!
You clearly are not trying hard enough.
12 should be done in less than 4 hours.
Target by 3:45 to redeem youself

'There's twice as many forwards on a team as D, so that essentially means you need twice as many prospects in that regards to defenseman.
- HonkFortheGoose

Sure...
But when we picked Karabacek we already had
Eichel, Reinhart, O'Reilly, Girgensons & Ennis
Plus, it sounded like they wer very high on Foligno
So that's 6 of our top9 all taken care of
And Murray gave up A LOT for Fasching, so he had think that's a 7th guy he'd be penciling into our top9
Then we had...
Larson, Carrier, Rodrigues, Hurley (ugh), Possler, Bailey & Baptiste as well
Needing only 2 of those guys to work out,
Plus u can always sign free agent forwards to fill top9 spots
Much harder to sign top4 defensemen then to draft & develop them

Like I said...
I guess I could see the Hurley pick, although I still massively disagree
But the Karabacek one was just stupid IMO
Not only did we pass on 2 really nice defense prospects,
But we totally reached on that pick for a guy who was pretty average & happened to have a really nice playoff
I was baffled at that pick
Karabacek really hasn't done much sense either which makes things even worse

From what I've seen...
His skating has improved, but he still needs work
Plus, we have no reason to rush hiits just makes sense to bring him along slowly
Bailey & especially Rodrigues have been looking pretty good down in Rochester from what I hear & the little I've seen...
I'm hopeful Fasching can end up being a top6 power forward type, but we'll see. He could be another Luke Adam too
- jdfitz77

Pretty much agreed on all points.
As i said, im hoping he succeeds.
It seems like Murray targets the work ethic/humble types in most cases at least.

I had been complaining I wanted to see the two of them together after the first game of the year. It was clearly visible that Eichel needed someone who doesn't like to necessarily carry the puck (like Kane does) but that is capable of keeping up with him. Girgensons fits that description perfectly. AND he drives the net, which is something this team seems to struggle to do most of the time.

I also think having him out there with Eichel helps when it comes to the defensive side of things as well.
- HonkFortheGoose

Yep, I agree with all of that
They look like they've got some pretty good chemistry too

And Kane seems to be working ok with ROR as well

One of the big reasons I expected us to be picking top5 this year was bc I had a feeling it would take some time for Bylsma to figure out who was gonna play with who & for these guys to adjust to their roles/linemates

If we get a top3 pick to play with Eichel & Girgensons we should be all set at forward
If not,
I still could see Ennis fitting in on that line too
He's had a brutal year, but I still really like him as a player. I hope we don't trade him

I like Shattenkirk, or Vatanen, but for a top 5 pick, I'm not sure it's worth it.

I'd rather have the potential of another franchise defensemen in the pipeline
- sbroads24

What are the odds that chychrun or juolevi turn into Shattenkirk or Lindholm? Those are two top pairing d-men. Speeds up the rebuild and eliminates most of the risk.

Pretty much agreed on all points.
As i said, im hoping he succeeds.
It seems like Murray targets the work ethic/humble types in most cases at least.
- seedy

I agree with the work ethic
Guys like Kane & O'Reilly aren't exactly all that humble though, haha

I do think/hope Fasching can eventually be good for us
This past development camp, when they were doing skating drills as a team Fasching was struggling a little & they had a coach skating along side him almost the entire time.
It's definitely an issue they've addressed, and he has improved from last year to this year for sure
But no need to rush him
Let him work on it some more for a year or 2 in the AHL
It'll only help him in the long run once he gets to the NHL

What are the odds that chychrun or juolevi turn into Shattenkirk or Lindholm? Those are two top pairing d-men. Speeds up the rebuild and eliminates most of the risk.
- Sabresfan-365

I'd say pretty good. Chychrun will absolutely be a top pair defender IMO. And while I don't want to wait 4 years for him to develop, it's better than overpaying on Shattenkirk's next contract.

If it were an elite defensemen, I'd probably do it.

What are the odds that chychrun or juolevi turn into Shattenkirk or Lindholm? Those are two top pairing d-men. Speeds up the rebuild and eliminates most of the risk.
- Sabresfan-365

Good point,
But what do we have to give up to get them?
Also,
StL apparently isn't that enamoured with Shattenkirk's defense
Seems like they don't wanna pay him the big $$$ bc they don't think he's well rounded enough to be considered a "top pair" guy
Lindholm is still developing as well though
Idk that we can be sure if he's a top pair guy, or just top4

I am interested to see which direction Murray goes with the defense though

Good point,
But what do we have to give up to get them?
Also,
StL apparently isn't that enamoured with Shattenkirk's defense
Seems like they don't wanna pay him the big $$$ bc they don't think he's well rounded enough to be considered a "top pair" guy
Lindholm is still developing as well though
Idk that we can be sure if he's a top pair guy, or just top4

I am interested to see which direction Murray goes with the defense though
- jdfitz77

I'd love to add Shattenkirk, but trading that pick for him is just shortening our window to compete for a cup. I'd rather have 10+ years of Chychrun

I'd love to add Shattenkirk, but trading that pick for him is just shortening our window to compete for a cup. I'd rather have 10+ years of Chychrun
- sbroads24

It is a lot easier to project forwards than defensemen...

I would rather take the forward at the draft and work for a trade for an established defensemen or sign one in FA...

Drafting Chychrun IMO changes the time line by 3 years at the earliest for when this team is competing for a legit run as I don't think he just steps into the league and plays top minutes. It's taken Risto 3 years to get where he is and he still has holes in his game.

Get me a forward at this draft and he should be able to fit right in on the "second" line with Eichel and Girgensons.

It is a lot easier to project forwards than defensemen...

I would rather take the forward at the draft and work for a trade for an established defensemen or sign one in FA...

Drafting Chychrun IMO changes the time line by 3 years at the earliest for when this team is competing for a legit run as I don't think he just steps into the league and plays top minutes. It's taken Risto 3 years to get where he is and he still has holes in his game.

Get me a forward at this draft and he should be able to fit right in on the "second" line with Eichel and Girgensons.
- Stripes77

Just because we draft a D man, doesn't mean we can't add players via trade or FA.

Not all top 5 picks step right in.

Reinhart certainly didn't, and I'd argue he still isn't a top 6 player on a contending team.

It is a lot easier to project forwards than defensemen...

I would rather take the forward at the draft and work for a trade for an established defensemen or sign one in FA...

Drafting Chychrun IMO changes the time line by 3 years at the earliest for when this team is competing for a legit run as I don't think he just steps into the league and plays top minutes. It's taken Risto 3 years to get where he is and he still has holes in his game.

Get me a forward at this draft and he should be able to fit right in on the "second" line with Eichel and Girgensons.
- Stripes77

Well said, pretty much where my thinking is at too. Shouldn't sell Shattenkirk or Lindholm short either. I think they're at the very least top pairing guys, could even make the case that they're franchise or #1.

I'd love to add Shattenkirk, but trading that pick for him is just shortening our window to compete for a cup. I'd rather have 10+ years of Chychrun
- sbroads24

Murray already shortened it. There's no point in going ape poop with trades last year to speed up the time line and then suddenly put the breaks on and wait. If the plan is to do it this way, may as well commit to it.

Murray already shortened it. There's no point in going ape poop with trades last year to speed up the time line and then suddenly put the breaks on and wait. If the plan is to do it this way, may as well commit to it.
- Sabresfan-365

He shortened it, but our franchise players are still 19,21, and 20.

I'd love to add Shattenkirk, but trading that pick for him is just shortening our window to compete for a cup. I'd rather have 10+ years of Chychrun
- sbroads24

Agree
I'm not trading a top5 pick this year (or any year for the most part)

Agree
I'm not trading a top5 pick this year (or any year for the most part)
- jdfitz77

Not unless it's a top 10 D man

He shortened it, but our franchise players are still 19,21, and 20.
- sbroads24

with only 2 years left on ELC's before they are due for a big pay raise (or in risto's case this summer)

There best bet at winning a cup is in year 3 of Eichel's ELC. Two years of experience under his belt and still being paid peanuts. Ditto Reinhart. So who makes more of an impact. Cychrun 2 years from now or Lindholm/Shattenkirk two years from now?

It is a lot easier to project forwards than defensemen...

I would rather take the forward at the draft and work for a trade for an established defensemen or sign one in FA...

Drafting Chychrun IMO changes the time line by 3 years at the earliest for when this team is competing for a legit run as I don't think he just steps into the league and plays top minutes. It's taken Risto 3 years to get where he is and he still has holes in his game.

Get me a forward at this draft and he should be able to fit right in on the "second" line with Eichel and Girgensons.
- Stripes77

Speaking of Risto,
He was out getting rowdy on Allen a few nights ago
Did a shot with him
He's kinda goofy, lol

Not unless it's a top 10 D man
- sbroads24

I think the argument could be made that he is or at least close to it. Only 26 as well.

Not unless it's a top 10 D man
- sbroads24

Of course there's a bunch of young NHL guys I'd trade that pick for, but very doubtful any of those guys get moved

I'd have considered it for Seth Jones (I know u don't like him as much as I do) or Johansson...

with only 2 years left on ELC's before they are due for a big pay raise (or in risto's case this summer)

There best bet at winning a cup is in year 3 of Eichel's ELC. Two years of experience under his belt and still being paid peanuts. Ditto Reinhart. So who makes more of an impact. Cychrun 2 years from now or Lindholm/Shattenkirk two years from now?
- Sabresfan-365

Isn't Shattenkirk up next year?

Personally, I'd rather have 4 young, potential franchise players, then have 2 or 3 and change out supporting cast players every other year like the Penguins

Btw...
How much have u been liking your boy Girgensons on a line with Eichel lately?
Small sample size,
But it doesn't look like they'll be getting split up any time soon
- jdfitz77

I'll take that bet.

Isn't Shattenkirk up next year?

Personally, I'd rather have 4 young, potential franchise players, then have 2 or 3 and change out supporting cast players every other year like the Penguins
- sbroads24

I think the difference here is im operating under the assumption that Shattenkirk would be considered part of the franchise core than just supporting cast. Well that and Im still a skeptic on drafting a d-man that high at this point in the rebuild.

You're right though, they would have to get him re-signed

Unsure of how many have seen this but it's a pretty good piece with Linda Cohn and Jagr.
I Respect this guys work ethic and dedication beyond.
More people need to be more like him when it comes to their jobs.
Anyway, enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DJyHw_k_ak