Offensively I really don't see us that improved.

Defensively I believe we are improved.

Goaltending I am not worried about.
- thundachunk

Vrbata helps that how?

Vrbata helps that how?
- Nighthawk

we need scoring.

Vrbata took his ball and left already. he isn't coming back.


I mentioned earlier that both Vrbata and Hudler had disappointing seasons. If I had to choose of the two for one year contract next season, I'd go Hudler just to move on from Vrbata.

Who plays with Sutter? He's like an offensive dead zone outside of his 20 goals, Hudler, who can pass, would actually be a good fit offensively.

What I mean by that is Sutter doesn't "create" offence for his wingers. Very good on the dot and ok defensively though.
- LeftCoaster

If we signed Hudler, i see him playing with Bo and Sven on a 3 (2b) line that gets o-starts. Sutter gets shutdown role.

Sedin/Sedin/Loui
Burrows/Sutter/Hansen
Sven/Bo/Hudler
Rodin/Granlund/Etem
Dorsett, Gaunce (JV to Utica).

That lineup looks weak imo (if Rodin can jump into top 6, then Dorsett could slide into the 4th line and provide some muscle, but stilll...)

Sedin Sedin Eriksson
Beartschi Sutter Hansen
Burrows Horvat Vitanen
Rodin Granlund Dorsett

Gaunce, Etem

Unless (as Vantel says) a trade is coming I would say this is pretty close to what we will see.

I don't dislike Etem but I don't believe in him either. He is not consistent. I actually have more faith in Gaunce making the team.

Lets say Kane is coming over. Burrows or Hansen needs to be moved with that trade. Financially that is the only scenario I can see happening.

Lots of scenarios are going to play out this season.

I for one wouldn't mind Vrbata back at the right price.
- thundachunk

edit: re the lines, this scenario is the most probable (meaning no more additions to the team, i've made my own alterations)

Sedin Sedin Eriksson (scoring)
Burrows Sutter Hansen (shutdown)
Baer Horvat Vitanen (youth/speed line)
Etem Granlund Dorsett (4 line bangers with speed)
Rodin, Gaunce.

if we traded for Kane (Sbisa, Gaunce, 2nd)

Sedin/Sedin/Loui
Kane/Sutter/Hansen
Sven/Bo/Rodin
Dorsett/Granlund/Etem
Burrows

That is a solid lineup imo. speed, scoring, some grit. JV could slide in somewhere, lots of movable pieces.

if we traded for Kane (Sbisa, Gaunce, 2nd)

Sedin/Sedin/Loui
Kane/Sutter/Hansen
Sven/Bo/Rodin
Dorsett/Granlund/Etem
Burrows

That is a solid lineup imo. speed, scoring, some grit. JV could slide in somewhere, lots of movable pieces.
- dbot

Looks ok to me.

Switch the 4th line though
Burrows Granlund Dorsett
Etem in & out if playing well.

Looks ok to me.

Switch the 4th line though
Burrows Granlund Dorsett
Etem in & out if playing well.
- Nighthawk

ok with me!

Projected line-up for 2018-19

Sedin Sedin Eriksson
Kane Sutter Boeser
Sven Bo JV
? ? Dorsett

Edler Juolevi
Hutton Tanev
Brisebois Tryamkin

Can swap JV & Boeser also.

Sedin Sedin Eriksson
Beartschi Sutter Hansen
Burrows Horvat Vitanen
Rodin Granlund Dorsett

Gaunce, Etem

Unless (as Vantel says) a trade is coming I would say this is pretty close to what we will see.

I don't dislike Etem but I don't believe in him either. He is not consistent. I actually have more faith in Gaunce making the team.

Lets say Kane is coming over. Burrows or Hansen needs to be moved with that trade. Financially that is the only scenario I can see happening.

Lots of scenarios are going to play out this season.

I for one wouldn't mind Vrbata back at the right price.
- thundachunk

It is a bit of a heads scratcher trying second guess what the lines will look like.

It is funny with Sutter because I think he can play top 6 as a winger but if playing centre is more suited to the third line. But maybe line numbering isn't as important as actual deployment, as Lefty mentioned, if Sutter is getting mostly defensive zone starts.

If Etem can consistently play how he finished last season, Hansen is expendable. If Hansen isn't playing first or second line, coming off a career season, he should be traded if he has value. but I'm still not sole on Etem either.

Even if JB isn't able to acquire an upgrade via trade or ufa, I think we have some options in the bottom 9 for WD to try a few different combos.

Can't wait for Boeser to turn pro.

It is a bit of a heads scratcher trying second guess what the lines will look like.

It is funny with Sutter because I think he can play top 6 as a winger but if playing centre is more suited to the third line. But maybe line numbering isn't as important as actual deployment, as Lefty mentioned, if Sutter is getting mostly defensive zone starts.

If Etem can consistently play how he finished last season, Hansen is expendable. If Hansen isn't playing first or second line, coming off a career season, he should be traded if he has value. but I'm still not sole on Etem either.

Even if JB isn't able to acquire an upgrade via trade or ufa, I think we have some options in the bottom 9 for WD to try a few different combos.

Can't wait for Boeser to turn pro.
- hillbillydeluxe

Agree getting hung up on line #'s is not important.

Projected line-up for 2018-19

Sedin Sedin Eriksson
Kane Sutter Boeser
Sven Bo JV
? ? Dorsett

Edler Juolevi
Hutton Tanev
Brisebois Tryamkin

Can swap JV & Boeser also.
- Nighthawk

did we trade Gudbranson?

It does look like an interesting lineup.

As we stockpile draftees i can see the 4th line being competitive for prospects to break into the line-up. This year & next mostly will define our 2-3 lines as the kids progress. D & G is looking quite fine atm. Drafts will be more interesting as time goes by.

It is a bit of a heads scratcher trying second guess what the lines will look like.

It is funny with Sutter because I think he can play top 6 as a winger but if playing centre is more suited to the third line. But maybe line numbering isn't as important as actual deployment, as Lefty mentioned, if Sutter is getting mostly defensive zone starts.

If Etem can consistently play how he finished last season, Hansen is expendable. If Hansen isn't playing first or second line, coming off a career season, he should be traded if he has value. but I'm still not sole on Etem either.

Even if JB isn't able to acquire an upgrade via trade or ufa, I think we have some options in the bottom 9 for WD to try a few different combos.

Can't wait for Boeser to turn pro.
- hillbillydeluxe

Hansen's appeal is that he can play up and down the lineup.
i think if he's playing 3rd line, then it's a great sign for the team (as it should mean we have other capable players in the top 6 and he's playing where he can be effective).

I'd like to see us spread out some talent throughout the top 9 (ala Pitts) and have players that can score and use their speed on the bottom 9.

Projected line-up for 2018-19

Sedin Sedin Eriksson
Kane Sutter Boeser
Sven Bo JV
? ? Dorsett

Edler Juolevi
Hutton Tanev
Brisebois Tryamkin

Can swap JV & Boeser also.
- Nighthawk

did we trade Gudbranson?

It does look like an interesting lineup.
- hillbillydeluxe

Oops a brain fart.
Fix my D combos pls 😂😂👍

Edler EG
Hutton Tanev
Tryamkin Juolevi
Brisebois

Am I the only one not high today?

Am I the only one not high today?
- thundachunk

Quite possibly.

Hansen's appeal is that he can play up and down the lineup.
i think if he's playing 3rd line, then it's a great sign for the team (as it should mean we have other capable players in the top 6 and he's playing where he can be effective).

I'd like to see us spread out some talent throughout the top 9 (ala Pitts) and have players that can score and use their speed on the bottom 9.
- dbot

I hear ya. I get caught between the rebuild and compete now.

I also said there would be some options but I think it really depends if we can get something good for Hansen and balance out what we have and what we need.

The talent being spread out is important. I'd rather we had Hansen back with the Sedins and Eriksson on another line so there are 2 lines of offense.

Will WD coach the same way? continue to roll the lines?

Quite possibly.
- Marwood

sucks to be him.

I hear ya. I get caught between the rebuild and compete now.

I also said there would be some options but I think it really depends if we can get something good for Hansen and balance out what we have and what we need.

The talent being spread out is important. I'd rather we had Hansen back with the Sedins and Eriksson on another line so there are 2 lines of offense.

Will WD coach the same way? continue to roll the lines?
- hillbillydeluxe

I firmly believe in the in between. You have to rebuild and still compete.

Eriksson could be the guy Lefty is talking about to make Sutter better. I am positive we will see WD move players around.

I firmly believe in the in between. You have to rebuild and still compete.

Eriksson could be the guy Lefty is talking about to make Sutter better. I am positive we will see WD move players around.
- thundachunk

Not to beat a dead horse, but always comes back to Kane.
- VanHockeyGuy

He would totally beat a dead horse.

He would totally beat a dead horse.
- CubanBuffet

Then fondle it inappropriately.

Vrbata helps that how?
- Nighthawk

Goals.

He would totally beat a dead horse.
- CubanBuffet

I think I saw that on an Oilers thread.