Am I the only one that thinks that defense is bottom 10 in the NHL? - rangerdanger94
As it stands it has potential to surprise (in a good way) but more than likely will be awful. If the bottom pairing was somehow addressed it becomes a pretty solid D-Core.
I really think they should move McDonagh or Skjei to the right side assuming they sign Smith and everything else looks the same. - mdw7413
Smith can also play the right side. Most combinations will mess up AV's preferred lefty-righty balance, unless Shattenkirk is added and DeAngelo earns a spot. McD, Skjei and Smith have the flexibility to move to their off side as does Holden.
out of his prime in 2 years? ummm no, he's not 32 yet.
Next your saying Zucc is slow because he's a year to 30?
DeAngelo is still a project, mentally, and then some. - puckhead17
Even if Deangelo wasn't "a project, mentally, and then some", he could still only pan out to be DelZotto 2.0 at best.
Am I the only one that thinks that defense is bottom 10 in the NHL? - rangerdanger94
we have the highest paid goalie in the league and a top 10 paid player. He makes the team d better. His contract means that we are able to put kids out there on D and he will bail them out. If not - Why TF is he signed to that contract?!?! Take our Dcore from the past 5 years and put it on any other team and i would venture to say they are just average. Hank makes it all better. which is why i say let the kids grow and potentially surprise come playoff time.
we have the highest paid goalie in the league and a top 10 paid player. He makes the team d better. His contract means that we are able to put kids out there on D and he will bail them out. If not - Why TF is he signed to that contract?!?! Take our Dcore from the past 5 years and put it on any other team and i would venture to say they are just average. Hank makes it all better. which is why i say let the kids grow and potentially surprise come playoff time. - richardson30
Agreed. If Hank made Michel Rosival and Marek Malik look good, then I think McD, Skjei, Smith, Holden, AVA, Staal/Klein (if he's here) will be just fine.
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Jun 27 @ 3:58 PM ET
Smith can also play the right side. Most combinations will mess up AV's preferred lefty-righty balance, unless Shattenkirk is added and DeAngelo earns a spot. McD, Skjei and Smith have the flexibility to move to their off side as does Holden. - airjan23
I think the left side is set with McDonagh/Skjei/Staal
Its why I think for better balance I would move one of Skjei/McDonagh to the right and move Smith or Holden back to their natural left.
I think the left side is set with McDonagh/Skjei/Staal
Its why I think for better balance I would move one of Skjei/McDonagh to the right and move Smith or Holden back to their natural left. - mdw7413
I'd like to move holden back to where he came from and keep him off the ice
Would signing Shattenkirk even be a question if Staal wasn't on the team anymore? I think if we could somehow build the core around Mac/Skjei/Smith/Shattenkirk, you do it and let two of the kids grow.
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Jun 27 @ 4:04 PM ET
I'd like to move holden back to where he came from and keep him off the ice
Would signing Shattenkirk even be a question if Staal wasn't on the team anymore? I think if we could somehow build the core around Mac/Skjei/Smith/Shattenkirk, you do it and let two of the kids grow. - Bean_Dip
Definitely agree with that. If Staal was gone, you could still technically have 2 rookies playing D even with a Shattenkirk signing
we have the highest paid goalie in the league and a top 10 paid player. He makes the team d better. His contract means that we are able to put kids out there on D and he will bail them out. If not - Why TF is he signed to that contract?!?! Take our Dcore from the past 5 years and put it on any other team and i would venture to say they are just average. Hank makes it all better. which is why i say let the kids grow and potentially surprise come playoff time. - richardson30
Are we trying to be a bubble team or win the damn Cup?
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Jun 27 @ 4:06 PM ET
Yea, but is he worth taking a spot from a younger guy ready to make the jump? - Bean_Dip
I think he is worth keeping and if a young guy could take his spot that would be cool with me. Remember AV sat him a few games, so AV sees some of the deficiencies in his game. But for the price and point total he would be a guy I would definitely keep around.
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Jun 27 @ 4:08 PM ET
I'd still only offer three years to Shatty. Seven scares the pubes off my groin. - mames11
No way he is taking 3. If Staal wasn't here I think Shattenkirk would be a no brainer. He would be 35 at the end of a max contract, and its not like he plays a game like Girardi. He will hold up a bit longer.
No way he is taking 3. If Staal wasn't here I think Shattenkirk would be a no brainer. He would be 35 at the end of a max contract, and its not like he plays a game like Girardi. He will hold up a bit longer. - mdw7413
I think you pull the trigger on him. Live with his deficiencies and the "bad" contract. As long as you only have one on your team, it's not the end of the world. Staal should be bought out next year and Nasher will hopefully comeback on a decent deal, thus making Shattenkirk fair.
No way he is taking 3. If Staal wasn't here I think Shattenkirk would be a no brainer. He would be 35 at the end of a max contract, and its not like he plays a game like Girardi. He will hold up a bit longer. - mdw7413
Best realistic contract we can hope for is like 5.75mm a year for 5 years and a full NMC
I don't disagree, TJ. All I was really saying is that I am not entirely sure what direction they want to go in for next year. Do they want to try to compete? Or is it a retool type year? That would effect the way I view what UFA's they should or shouldn't sign, and what moves they should or shouldn't make. - Pete V
There should really be no "in between" due to Hank's age. Either you go all out and use the $20M in cap for the best, or you think of life after Hank when Shesterkin will likely take over his reign, even be it the possibility of asking Hank to waive his NMC to go only to a top Cup contender that would need him. In going for it now, should the outlook or result warrants so, you can always trade off the older pieces later, except for those excessive monetary ones in most cases having long term remaining and attached clauses in their contracts. They even just proved that they could find the one & likely only one or few buyers for Stepan's contract in full.
Location: I would rather see a dudes hairy balls than his hairy feet-Jimbro Joined: 12.13.2013
Jun 27 @ 4:13 PM ET
I think you pull the trigger on him. Live with his deficiencies and the "bad" contract. As long as you only have one on your team, it's not the end of the world. Staal should be bought out next year and Nasher will hopefully comeback on a decent deal, thus making Shattenkirk fair. - Bean_Dip
Pretty much agree. Its when you get 3-4 contracts you cant get out of it becomes a bit of an issue. 1 contract who cares. This is also based on the assumption Shattenkirk sucks after 2-3 years, which I do not agree with.
