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Eklund: NHL GM Resolutions, What is your Team’s One Need? |
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Happy New Year Hockey World!
Hope all of you are enjoying your family and staying warm! Especially those of you in Minnesota where the Winter Classic Gametime Temperature will be a balmy -5 tonight at 7pm, but it will feel like -21, which when it comes to temperature really is all that matters. They are actually heating the ice to avoid chipping…Maybe playing as NIGHT in Minnesota wasn’t necessary, but at the end of the day, this is what separates all other hockey’s from ICE hockey.
So, its January and that means the TRADING season is about to kick into high gear and this year looks like it will be the most fun we’ve had in a decade. We have no clear cut favorites, and several teams who truly consider themselves to be contenders. We have a flat cap causing teams to actually have to do more player for player swaps. And we have a few contending teams with the Cap Space to make the kind of moved other teams won’t be able to counter to keep up…
So here are a few GMs who are waking up on this New Year’s Day with their heads resolute to make a go of it..
* Chris Drury, NY Rangers:
Druzy has a very dangerous team and quite a bit of Cap Space to upgrade on the defensive end. The Rangers were my pre-season pick to win it all, and I am quite happy with that selections. Shesterkin has been all this team hoped for and more, Panarin continues to play and make his mark as the BEST UFA signing in the 2000’s, and Adam Fox is the only defenseman in the NHL who can actually be mentioned in the same breath with Cale Makar. Add to this, a coach in Gallant who motivates better than any and this team is primed…Hope good would a Ben Chiarot look on this team?
* Chuck Fletcher, Flyers:
The Flyers have fought hard to get back into the race, but will NOT be a playoff team unless Martin Jones can play like a 1A. Fletcher knows this and he will be looking. He also has a a hard decision to make at head coach. If the Flyers continue to play at this rate they won’t be an embarrassment, but Rick Tocchet is sitting out there and WILL be picked up by another team soon..Fletcher has to decide if not being and embarrassment is good enough for now OR if he wants to take advantage of a team that has the talent to truly compete.
* Ken Holland, Oilers:
The Oilers hot start was not indicative of where they are, but NEITHER was their sudden collapse. With the addition of Zach Hyman and the rise of some role players they are as talented as ANY team in Canada, but they lack consistency and most importantly a bonafide starting goalie. Fleury is out there and others are as well. That move HAS to be made.
* Lou Lamoriello, Islanders:
The Islanders sit last in the Metro, but have several games in hand. If they were to go 4-0 or 5-0 they would be right back in this thing and Lou is NOT going to think of this team as anything less than a Cup contender NOW. His biggest issue is transitional defensemen. He will likely make a move way before the deadline.
*Bill Zito, Panthers:
He has had the magic touch so far, and he likely has one more play to try and surpass his Florida rival…I would expect some experience to come to Miami…
What other resolutions should your GM have?
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