both

there is room to pay for 5 guys up front

eichel, stamkos, skunk
kane, ror, 2016 draft pick


the downside to that is your 3rd and 4th lines are cheaper players, not vets like gionta and you can't afford to pay your 3rd line center (girgens)
- homiedclown

Or...
Girgensons-Eichel-(draft pick)
Foligno/Moulson-O'Reilly-Reinhart
Kane-Larsson-Ennis

2nd line LW is the obvious question mark there, but we have a lot of guys coming up in the next couple seasons. Hopefully one of them would work there if Foligno doesn't work out.

I really like Stamkos,
But I think I like the balanced lineup better

Idk that the Ducks will move either of those guys

And Girgensons is really the only guy we have that's been able to find chemistry with Jack so far, so I'm hesitant to move him
Even if he ends up being our 3rd line center, that means our forward group will be pretty excellent

I'd build a package around Fasching if possible
And I'm not trying this year's 1st, no way
- jdfitz77

Both are RFA's. That will be two hard contracts to negotiate. Unless they move Fowler.

Forgot about Lemieux.
- twinks20

It really bugs me because Lindholm would have been the perfect fit. Right age, style, potential, completes a Scandinavian defensive duo. May end up missing out because of some self entitled 2nd rounder

Why so eager to dump Fasching? I doubt Murray will be.
- Sabresfan-365

I just prefer Girgensons
Chemistry with Jack, I already KNOW he can play in the NHL, his contract will be reasonable, the versatility to play wing on a scoring line or shutdown center

Fasching is a good prospect who plays well around the net. He still has work to do on his skating. I don't hate him, but I could see him be Vanek-ish or I could see him end up like Mancari or Luke Adam if he can't continue to improve his skating.

I don't wanna "dump" him, but I'll move him in a heartbeat for a top defensive prospect or good young defenseman

Both are RFA's. That will be two hard contracts to negotiate. Unless they move Fowler.
- twinks20

Teams find a way to make that stuff work out every year

Or...
Girgensons-Eichel-(draft pick)
Foligno/Moulson-O'Reilly-Reinhart
Kane-Larsson-Ennis

2nd line LW is the obvious question mark there, but we have a lot of guys coming up in the next couple seasons. Hopefully one of them would work there if Foligno doesn't work out.

I really like Stamkos,
But I think I like the balanced lineup better
- jdfitz77

IMO that forward group lands you in the bottom 5 again next year.

Moulson and Foligno are not top 6 player. Girgensons is not a top line winger.

It really bugs me because Lindholm would have been the perfect fit. Right age, style, potential, completes a Scandinavian defensive duo. May end up missing out because of some self entitled 2nd rounder
- Sabresfan-365

He doesn't have a NTC
His agent can't do squat
I seriously doubt Lindholm (or anyone) would sit out or demand a trade if he were to come here. Those situations are rare

I just prefer Girgensons
Chemistry with Jack, I already KNOW he can play in the NHL, his contract will be reasonable, the versatility to play wing on a scoring line or shutdown center

Fasching is a good prospect who plays well around the net. He still has work to do on his skating. I don't hate him, but I could see him be Vanek-ish or I could see him end up like Mancari or Luke Adam if he can't continue to improve his skating.

I don't wanna "dump" him, but I'll move him in a heartbeat for a top defensive prospect or good young defenseman
- jdfitz77

I think this is being overblown. He has two goals with him and then that line was broken up and then he got hurt.

It is not difficult to find chemistry with Eichel.

The coach just needs to let players play together longer than 15 minutes at a time.

IMO that forward group lands you in the bottom 5 again next year.

Moulson and Foligno are not top 6 player. Girgensons is not a top line winger.
- ImThatGuy

Was Dupuis a "top line" winger?
Is Abdelkader?
Is Helm a 2nd line winger?
I can go on & on

It's about finding chemistry & making it all work together
Our 6 best players don't need to be on the same 2 lines
You're also discounting that Kane & Ennis are better than 3rd line players

/leavesthismortalcoil

I think this is being overblown. He has two goals with him and then that line was broken up and then he got hurt.

It is not difficult to find chemistry with Eichel.

The coach just needs to let players play together longer than 15 minutes at a time.
- ImThatGuy

This.

At least it shouldn't be when he's in his prime

Or...
Girgensons-Eichel-(draft pick)
Foligno/Moulson-O'Reilly-Reinhart
Kane-Larsson-Ennis

2nd line LW is the obvious question mark there, but we have a lot of guys coming up in the next couple seasons. Hopefully one of them would work there if Foligno doesn't work out.

I really like Stamkos,
But I think I like the balanced lineup better
- jdfitz77

move gus and the 3 thirds for a d man
sign stamkos

eichel, stamkos, skunk
kane, ror, 2016 first rd pick
catenacci/possler, larsson, fasching/baily/gionta
deslaurers, foligno, baily/gionta

d

player in trade, risto
mccabe, pysyk
franson, soupy


trade bogo, ennis
waive moulson

I think this is being overblown. He has two goals with him and then that line was broken up and then he got hurt.

It is not difficult to find chemistry with Eichel.

The coach just needs to let players play together longer than 15 minutes at a time.
- ImThatGuy

I wouldn't say overblown...
Maybe premature since it's a small sample size
Bylsma said the other day that he likes their "chemistry" and plans on playing them together a lot more...
So I guess we'll see

Regardless,
Girgensons is without a doubt, a sold top9 player in the NHL, and quite possibly better

As good a prospect as Fasching is, I still have my doubts
So I'd rather move him for a young defenseman

/leavesthismortalcoil
- Der Kaiser

move gus and the 3 thirds for a d man
sign stamkos

eichel, stamkos, skunk
kane, ror, 2016 first rd pick
catenacci/possler, larsson, fasching/baily/gionta
deslaurers, foligno, baily/gionta

d

player in trade, risto
mccabe, pysyk
franson, soupy


trade bogo, ennis
waive moulson
- homiedclown

Even if he wasn't toronto bound his demand to play centre pretty much makes us an impossible fit.

He doesn't have a NTC
His agent can't do squat
I seriously doubt Lindholm (or anyone) would sit out or demand a trade if he were to come here. Those situations are rare
- jdfitz77

If you've watched the Drouin situation you know this is obviously not true. If you have a bad relationship with an agent you either end up overpaying to re-sign him or are stuck in a hold out till you trade him.

As for the ducks and there 2 RFA d-men, the internal cap makes it unlikely they keep both. Especially since they've got Theodore and Montour coming through and could use another forward.

This.

At least it shouldn't be when he's in his prime
- sbroads24

Do we know if he's back on the ice today?

If our pick isn't top 4 I'd take a look at teams that are currently sans first rounder. See if you can land a D-man there.

Even if he wasn't toronto bound his demand to play centre pretty much makes us an impossible fit.
- Sabresfan-365

nu blog

move gus and the 3 thirds for a d man
sign stamkos

eichel, stamkos, skunk
kane, ror, 2016 first rd pick
catenacci/possler, larsson, fasching/baily/gionta
deslaurers, foligno, baily/gionta

d

player in trade, risto
mccabe, pysyk
franson, soupy


trade bogo, ennis
waive moulson
- homiedclown

Hmmmm...

VERY YOUNG top4 defense is worrisome, although we won't have to move Bogosian right away so that could help

That 3rd line is scary though
Chances are that some of those guys will work out, but how long till they're good enough to compete with NHL 3rd lines?
It will likely be a huge hindrance for the next couple seasons, at least

If we could keep Girgensons is feel A LOT better about our forward depth
And I like Ennis too
So if we could move Fasching for the defenseman, that's my 1st choice. Then Ennis...
But I really think a 3rd line of Kane-Larsson-Ennis would dominate

I'd still go after Stamkos & try to find a way to make it all work though
Hopefully he's sign for something like 10mil instead of 12