Paul McCann: The Upcoming Week

When healthy, our top 4 is locked up for along time. Thinking long term, where does Girard fit in? Who draws the short straw?

sweep
- ProudestMonkey

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- bigfly46

1928- you should have won 30 Cups by now in a 6 team NHL and chance alone

The news on Nick Bonino does not look good. They had Fiala centering the 2nd line in practice today. Hmmm.

I'm fine if Girard stays up. If the kid earns it, then play him. Don't worry about the long term implications. The season is now. If Girard is ready, then he needs to play. Considering he hasn't looked overmatched or out of place at the NHL level in the first few games, what good would going back to Juniors do him?

I still see Subban as the most expendable/value piece on the team. I don't want to get rid of him necessarily, but if Subban, Ellis, Eckholm, Josi & Girard look to be your long-term top 5 guys, then you could possibly trade Subban and get a big return for him. Not to mention dumping some of his salary to maybe sign another long-term deal with a top-6 forward.

It's not ideal for Ellis to be hurt, and it looks like the Bonino deal may not work out in the short run either. That said, Poile still has plenty of depth and cap space to make necessary moves to strengthen the team (both short and long term).

The news on Nick Bonino does not look good. They had Fiala centering the 2nd line in practice today. Hmmm.

I'm fine if Girard stays up. If the kid earns it, then play him. Don't worry about the long term implications. The season is now. If Girard is ready, then he needs to play. Considering he hasn't looked overmatched or out of place at the NHL level in the first few games, what good would going back to Juniors do him?

I still see Subban as the most expendable/value piece on the team. I don't want to get rid of him necessarily, but if Subban, Ellis, Eckholm, Josi & Girard look to be your long-term top 5 guys, then you could possibly trade Subban and get a big return for him. Not to mention dumping some of his salary to maybe sign another long-term deal with a top-6 forward.

It's not ideal for Ellis to be hurt, and it looks like the Bonino deal may not work out in the short run either. That said, Poile still has plenty of depth and cap space to make necessary moves to strengthen the team (both short and long term).
- holycow_75

I think Josi would be the expendable one, considering Girard has a similar style, and Josi will get a huge raise. But that's not before another 2-3 years. My guess is Girard will be the one traded until then, but anything's possible.

Two things that need to happen soon and I think one will for sure. Arvidsson is flying and is just a matter of time and his puck luck will change and the points will come. On the other hand Johansen needs to start shooting the dam puck. He has an awesome wrister but needs to use it. Starting to get too predictable. The Flyers moved Giroux to left wing because he was always passing first and it was painfully predictable. The move to wing is paying off. Not saying Johansen should be moved to wing but he has to start shooting the puck.

Two things that need to happen soon and I think one will for sure. Arvidsson is flying and is just a matter of time and his puck luck will change and the points will come. On the other hand Johansen needs to start shooting the dam puck. He has an awesome wrister but needs to use it. Starting to get too predictable. The Flyers moved Giroux to left wing because he was always passing first and it was painfully predictable. The move to wing is paying off. Not saying Johansen should be moved to wing but he has to start shooting the puck.
- joegreif17

To add to this 7 shots in 5 games is just not enough. Instead of looking for somebody to pass to release the bomb from some of those great scoring areas instead of sending it to the point or to the corners. Just saying it is tad frustrating to watch/

I think Josi would be the expendable one, considering Girard has a similar style, and Josi will get a huge raise. But that's not before another 2-3 years. My guess is Girard will be the one traded until then, but anything's possible.
- OTHabs

Disagree, Josi is going nowhere. If anything Ellis could be moved as his injury issues seem to be ongoing. Josi over Ellis any day of the week for me.

Disagree, Josi is going nowhere. If anything Ellis could be moved as his injury issues seem to be ongoing. Josi over Ellis any day of the week for me.
- joegreif17

Yeah Ellis could be expendable too. Well, my opinion is the Preds should keep the top 4 as it is, but I think Ekholm and Subban are the key pieces to the top 4, they are both great offensively and defensively and can play against anybody in the league. That's not saying Ellis or Josi are not that good, but I can't imagine the top 4 being as effective without Ekholm or Subban.

And if Girard gets a spot in the top 4 eventually, I'm not sure I could imagine both Josi and Girard in the top 4. That's why I think Girard could (maybe) make Josi expendable, because they're the same style and both lefties. But still, I think the Preds should keep the top 4 as it is.

Yeah Ellis could be expendable too. Well, my opinion is the Preds should keep the top 4 as it is, but I think Ekholm and Subban are the key pieces to the top 4, they are both great offensively and defensively and can play against anybody in the league. That's not saying Ellis or Josi are not that good, but I can't imagine the top 4 being as effective without Ekholm or Subban.

And if Girard gets a spot in the top 4 eventually, I'm not sure I could imagine both Josi and Girard in the top 4. That's why I think Girard could (maybe) make Josi expendable, because they're the same style and both lefties. But still, I think the Preds should keep the top 4 as it is.
- OTHabs

I see what you are saying but a healthy Josi to me is just as valuable as Subban to me, not as colorful but just as good. Ellis has been playing the sick bay game for a few years now and his size and track record is getting predictable. I say move him for a scorer and promote Girard full time. Subban Josi and Ekholm should be locks for many years. Just my opinion

I see what you are saying but a healthy Josi to me is just as valuable as Subban to me, not as colorful but just as good. Ellis has been playing the sick bay game for a few years now and his size and track record is getting predictable. I say move him for a scorer and promote Girard full time. Subban Josi and Ekholm should be locks for many years. Just my opinion
- joegreif17

Yeah that could be interesting too. Hopefully Josi is back soon and they keep Girard in the top 4 until Ellis is back. I'm still not sure where Girard would fit in the top 4. Maybe with Ekholm, and they'll try Josi with Subban. Or maybe with Josi, but they might be too similar.

To add to this 7 shots in 5 games is just not enough. Instead of looking for somebody to pass to release the bomb from some of those great scoring areas instead of sending it to the point or to the corners. Just saying it is tad frustrating to watch/
- joegreif17

He grew up modeling his game after Joe Thornton. Jumbo never shoots