Buff is said to want 5 year extension worth 35-40. So only 1-2.5 million more than a mac for the same term who would you rather have ?

What they thought on draft day is irrelevant. He is what he is.
- BiggE

I also wonder how Hextall feels about some of these guys. They weren't really signed or drafted by him and he probably doesn't have the attachment to them like a GM who signed them would.

How would you feel if they wanted him as a forward instead of a defenseman? He was a menace at forward in Chicago. Use him on the PP at the point with his cannon. I could see him as a nice piece upfront and even be a Matt Beleksy type upfront. Play with with Giroux and he might be flirting with 20-25 goals maybe more with PP time.
- J35Bacher

I'd rather go in different direction.

In all likelihood, yes. But having a good bit of depth at center is needed. "Third Line Center" shouldn't be a derogatory title
- Jsaquella

Absolutely, my only point was that I value a skilled top 4 defender over a 3rd line center. However, both are necessary for a successful club.

With a week FA class this year could Mason and Simmonds and Read be pices to move.

I know you all think I am crazy but Hextall see them as piece to reshape the roster and also the cap situation. Not saying just dump them but good hockey trades. Like Winnipeg. Could Mason be an option for them if they seek a goalie upgrade?

Just spitballing with all the silliness of today
- J35Bacher

Sure. If you trade Mason who is the goalie? A guy with 29 career starts just signed a deal for $1.1mm per year less than Mase.

That's the big question, you got stability in Mason, if he's dealt, you have to replace him and that would likely negate most of the cap savings

Well he will be behind G and Couturier for awhile
- 3flyerkids

That's okay, strength up the middle. Need 3-4 good lines to compete in today's NHL

Sure. If you trade Mason who is the goalie? A guy with 29 career starts just signed a deal for $1.1mm per year less than Mase.

That's the big question, you got stability in Mason, if he's dealt, you have to replace him and that would likely negate most of the cap savings
- Jsaquella

Unless it was a deal where a young goalie came back in the deal.

What they thought on draft day is irrelevant. He is what he is.
- BiggE

Okay, tell me what he is, and how you know that? Laughton has yet to play a full NHL season. I guess you don't believe in player development?

Buff is said to want 5 year extension worth 35-40. So only 1-2.5 million more than a mac for the same term who would you rather have ?
- Tfaehner

It's not even close. Buff is RH and a legit top pair. It's very very close to what we'd need. Yes he's prone to glaring gaffes at times. Live with it

Absolutely, my only point was that I value a skilled top 4 defender over a 3rd line center. However, both are necessary for a successful club.
- BiggE

The other side of it is, is Laughton limited to being a 3rd line C? He battled an injury, but showed flashes. Obviously if they felt that was his ceiling they would have drafted somebody else. I doubt that expected Jeff Woywitka to plateau as journeyman 3rd pair guy when they drafted him in the first round, so obviously picks don't always pan out.

Just not sure that Laughton's story is written. I also doubt Winnipeg agrees to just AMac & Laughton for Byfuglien

Anyway we can sign frolik and trade read to Toronto? Wasn't it babcock who had a boner over him in a world tournament recently?
- Just5

Frolik is a nice player who is about to be overpaid by someone. 5m X 5yrs

Too much for me.

Even 4.5 is too much I think

Okay, tell me what he is, and how you know that? Laughton has yet to play a full NHL season. I guess you don't believe in player development?
- MJL

The only question is what Hextall thinks. He didn't draft Laughton. Maybe he feels he is just "meh". Almost all the guys on this roster really have no ties to Hextall other then Schenn and Simmonds. We really don't know what he thinks of players that are here.

Unless it was a deal where a young goalie came back in the deal.
- J35Bacher

If we're talking Jets, that'd be Hutchinson. None of the others are NHL ready yet. Theyd also be looking to deal Pavelec, with his big cap hit and wildly inconsistent play

Does he ever pass coots or giroux ? No? Than he's not necessary part the future.
- Tfaehner

Disagree completely. You need strength up the middle, and 4 good lines.

Okay, tell me what he is, and how you know that? Laughton has yet to play a full NHL season. I guess you don't believe in player development?
- MJL

He hasn't played a full NHL season for a reason.

belesky for 5m or kessel for 8

Anyway we can sign frolik and trade read to Toronto? Wasn't it babcock who had a boner over him in a world tournament recently?
- Just5

Read is a better player, why do that?

Frolik is a nice player who is about to be overpaid by someone. 5m X 5yrs

Too much for me.

Even 4.5 is too much I think
- Marc D

Frolik at$4mm is a great addition. Trouble is, I think he gets $5mm+ from whomever doesn't overpay for Beleseky

That's okay, strength up the middle. Need 3-4 good lines to compete in today's NHL
- MJL

Cousins ? To date he's the more accomplished player with more size. Laughton has shown to be fragile

He hasn't played a full NHL season for a reason.
- Streit2ThePoint

What is that reason?

Okay, tell me what he is, and how you know that? Laughton has yet to play a full NHL season. I guess you don't believe in player development?
- MJL

From what I've seen of him, I believe his NHL ceiling is that of a very good 3rd line center. What does that have to do with my feelings on player development? This is why I don't usually waste my time discussing things with you, it's like arguing with a bureaucrat, pointless.

If you want to imagine Laughton as a superstar NHL center, have fun. It's a free country.

Cousins ? To date he's the more accomplished player with more size. Laughton has shown to be fragile
- Tfaehner

I disagree, I saw more from Laughton in his call up, then from Cousins. A concussion can happen to any player. I disagree that Laughton has shown to be fragile.

He hasn't played a full NHL season for a reason.
- Streit2ThePoint

That reason being he is only 3 years removed from his draft year.

The other side of it is, is Laughton limited to being a 3rd line C? He battled an injury, but showed flashes. Obviously if they felt that was his ceiling they would have drafted somebody else. I doubt that expected Jeff Woywitka to plateau as journeyman 3rd pair guy when they drafted him in the first round, so obviously picks don't always pan out.

Just not sure that Laughton's story is written. I also doubt Winnipeg agrees to just AMac & Laughton for Byfuglien
- Jsaquella

I just don't see Laughton with the skill set to be much more than a very good 3rd line center on a top team. Certainly, I could be wrong, but that is just how I see him.

The other side of it is, is Laughton limited to being a 3rd line C? He battled an injury, but showed flashes. Obviously if they felt that was his ceiling they would have drafted somebody else. I doubt that expected Jeff Woywitka to plateau as journeyman 3rd pair guy when they drafted him in the first round, so obviously picks don't always pan out.

Just not sure that Laughton's story is written. I also doubt Winnipeg agrees to just AMac & Laughton for Byfuglien
- Jsaquella

Maybe they are going after Engstrom and not Buff
I remember there were stories about Flyers having interest in Engstrom in his pre UFA year and then Winnipeg locked him up

Who knows?
Only thing that makes sense is to do this I think Amac has to go the other way, but why would the Jets do this?