How about Drouin for Derrick Pouliot?
- BourbonCounty

I don't think the value there is uneven, but I'm just not sure that it makes sense for Tampa.

When are you going to propose signing Franson?
- Leafsandbolts

Right after my lobotomy.

I don't think the value there is uneven, but I'm just not sure that it makes sense for Tampa.
- Michael_Stuart

That... and I'm just not at all worried about our Top-6 for a while to come. Stammer, Johnson, Palat, Kucherov, Killorn, Callahan*, Filpulla... maybe even Namestnikov... down the road, we've got guys like Braydon Point, among others. Drouin has a high ceiling than many, sure... but it isn't as though we're dying for another skilled winger on this team short or long term.

On D, however... I always feel that upgrades can be made. Hedman and Stralman are great. Garrisson is very, very good in a second-pairing role. Carle needs to go. Sustr is just not going to be what we want him to be. Nesterov has potential, Koekkoek has some potential, DeAngelo and Masin should be good...eventually. Coburn is a plug, for now.

To TB: Adam Larsson
To NJ: 3rd Overall
To AZ: Drouin

Wonder if there's a deal in there...

I don't think the value there is uneven, but I'm just not sure that it makes sense for Tampa.
- Michael_Stuart

I say hold on to Drouin because he will surely get better and if in a few years he doesn't fit into the team then you can trade him and get even more value back.

That... and I'm just not at all worried about our Top-6 for a while to come. Stammer, Johnson, Palat, Kucherov, Killorn, Callahan*, Filpulla... maybe even Namestnikov... down the road, we've got guys like Braydon Point, among others. Drouin has a high ceiling than many, sure... but it isn't as though we're dying for another skilled winger on this team short or long term.

On D, however... I always feel that upgrades can be made. Hedman and Stralman are great. Garrisson is very, very good in a second-pairing role. Carle needs to go. Sustr is just not going to be what we want him to be. Nesterov has potential, Koekkoek has some potential, DeAngelo and Masin should be good...eventually. Coburn is a plug, for now.

To TB: Adam Larsson
To NJ: 3rd Overall
To AZ: Drouin

Wonder if there's a deal in there...
- OzBolts

I'll take Pouliot over Larsson...and I love Larsson.

I'll take Pouliot over Larsson...and I love Larsson.
- Michael_Stuart

Griffin Reinhart for Drouin

I'll take Pouliot over Larsson...and I love Larsson.
- Michael_Stuart

Nothing against Pouliot... but does he really fill and organizational need?

Griffin Reinhart for Drouin
- eichiefs9

...dammit.

Honestly, you don't have to try to hard sell me, I haven't seen him play often: what are your thoughts?

Nothing against Pouliot... but does he really fill and organizational need?
- OzBolts

Mike literally just said the same thing lol

Mike literally just asked the same thing lol
- jvar17

Yup! He suuuuuure did!

Chalk it up to the noon coffee wearing off!

Yup! He suuuuuure did!

Chalk it up to the noon coffee wearing off!
- OzBolts

Haha, I was wondering how you didn't see that

Haha, I was wondering how you didn't see that
- jvar17

Oh I did... even as soon as I saw your reply it was like "wow... goldfish brain moment?"

Caffeine crash brain fart, no disrespect to Mike.

...dammit.

Honestly, you don't have to try to hard sell me, I haven't seen him play often: what are your thoughts?
- OzBolts

My honest thoughts are: I don't really know.

He's been kinda "meh" in extremely limited NHL action, and by all accounts he had a "good-not-great" year in the AHL.

Part of me wants to be concerned and strongly consider trading him.

Part of me wants to just chalk it up to "everyone develops at a different pace" and keep him highly regarded as one of our top-3 prospects.

When I see how patient TB was with Hedman and what the final result was, it makes me want to hang onto him. (No, I'm not comparing the two, before someone has a stroke) But there's always that concern that he may not pan out.

Pulock definitely jumped him on the depth chart with a stellar rookie campaign in Bridgeport and is the extremely likely candidate for the Isles open 6D spot next season. The emergence of Pulock as a true high-end prospect makes Griff a little more expendable

My honest thoughts are: I don't really know.

He's been kinda "meh" in extremely limited NHL action, and by all accounts he had a "good-not-great" year in the AHL.

Part of me wants to be concerned and strongly consider trading him.

Part of me wants to just chalk it up to "everyone develops at a different pace" and keep him highly regarded as one of our top-3 prospects.

When I see how patient TB was with Hedman and what the final result was, it makes me want to hang onto him. (No, I'm not comparing the two, before someone has a stroke) But there's always that concern that he may not pan out.

Pulock definitely jumped him on the depth chart with a stellar rookie campaign in Bridgeport and is the extremely likely candidate for the Isles open 6D spot next season. The emergence of Pulock as a true high-end prospect makes Griff a little more expendable
- eichiefs9

http://forecaster.thehock...ws/hockey/player.php?9496

Strengths: Is a great puck mover with a very projectable 6-4 frame and plenty of poise. Can log huge amounts of ice time and has offensive ability. Is also an asset on special teams.

Weaknesses: Isn't overly physical, which somewhat diminishes his all-round upside. Must fill out and become stronger physically in order to better handle big NHL forwards.



Actually... that does sound kind of Hedman-ish from years ago. Minus the "fill out" part... even when he was a rookie he was pretty huge.

I'll take Pouliot over Larsson...and I love Larsson.
- Michael_Stuart

I'm surprised by this. You must be really high on Pouliot.

Okay, effing embarrassing... I was thinking of someone else entirely vis a vis Pouliot. No more posting mid-caffeine crash.

Yeah, I'd be fine with that afterall.


I'd delete the above posts I've made, but not has hilarious if I did that.

I'm surprised by this. You must be really high on Pouliot.
- Nucker101

I am. I think the Dub is the toughest of the CHL leagues, and he dominated.

http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.php?9496

Strengths: Is a great puck mover with a very projectable 6-4 frame and plenty of poise. Can log huge amounts of ice time and has offensive ability. Is also an asset on special teams.

Weaknesses: Isn't overly physical, which somewhat diminishes his all-round upside. Must fill out and become stronger physically in order to better handle big NHL forwards.



Actually... that does sound kind of Hedman-ish from years ago. Minus the "fill out" part... even when he was a rookie he was pretty huge.
- OzBolts

Sounds like a mostly fair description. It's a shame he doesn't have a bit more of a mean-streak, because he's got the frame that would be perfect for it. He could stand to pack a few pounds of muscle on, like most young defensemen.

His foot speed and overall skating could stand to improve a little too. He's definitely not a top-notch skater, although I don't think I'd call it an area of concern.

I am. I think the Dub is the toughest of the CHL leagues, and he dominated.
- Michael_Stuart

He did for sure. I rank the OHL right there with the OHL. Keep in mind Pouliot played on one of the most offensively talented teams in all of junior hockey as well so while he was a big reason for that, he still benefited from a strong supporting cast.

Larsson's production and level of play was very impressive this season considering the tough minutes he played on a weak team. I think PIT would be more likely to trade Pouliot or Larsson than NJ would the other way around.

He did for sure. I rank the OHL right there with the OHL. Keep in mind Pouliot played on one of the most offensively talented teams in all of junior hockey as well so while he was a big reason for that, he still benefited from a strong supporting cast.

Larsson's production and level of play was very impressive this season considering the tough minutes he played on a weak team. I think PIT would be more likely to trade Pouliot or Larsson than NJ would the other way around.
- Nucker101

I view them as a 1A/1B sort of thing as far as targets go. Both are incredibly solid and full of potential.

I view them as a 1A/1B sort of thing as far as targets go. Both are incredibly solid and full of potential.
- Michael_Stuart

I agree, they both have similar upside but Larsson has a higher floor since he's already a top 4 NHL d-man and I expect by next season he's going to fully establish himself as a legit top pairing defender.

Interesting rumor.

FWIW, the way TB handled Drouin during the 2015 SCF reminded me of the way Boston handled Tyler Seguin during the 2013 SCF. A trade would increase the similarity.

Drouin

Arizona is the best option, otherwise he'll burn you for years to come in the east. How about Edmonton's 16th & Yakupov for Drouin? Yakupov & Kucherov.. Drouin & Eberle.. Don't burn me for this, just pondering in my own thoughts..

Throw in our 1st rounder as a sweetener, seems enticing..

Drouin

Arizona is the best option, otherwise he'll burn you for years to come in the east. How about Edmonton's 16th & Yakupov for Drouin? Yakupov & Kucherov.. Drouin & Eberle.. Don't burn me for this, just pondering in my own thoughts..

Throw in our 1st rounder as a sweetener, seems enticing..
- discojaws

That'd be an intriguing deal, but I'm not sure Edmonton makes it.

Drouin

Arizona is the best option, otherwise he'll burn you for years to come in the east. How about Edmonton's 16th & Yakupov for Drouin? Yakupov & Kucherov.. Drouin & Eberle.. Don't burn me for this, just pondering in my own thoughts..

Throw in our 1st rounder as a sweetener, seems enticing..
- discojaws

Drouin for the first overall pick (this is a joke)