The forward group is still so young. The defence really needs to be fixed and they need to stockpile more draft picks, even if they get a good pick it's not going to make a large difference to the forward group IMO.

Edler and Tanev aren't going anywhere, they're just too hard to replace, but you're right, I hope they're smart enough to let Hamhuis walk. Tanev is excellent at transitioning the puck to the forwards, yes he's soft and doesn't put up points but he's a good 3/4 dman.
- LeftCoaster

That's all we have is second and third pairing D . I don't see Aquillini as a patient man. I think they will fix it this summer and still continue to draft and develop

McCann needs to be put back in the oven, he's not done yet. No gm is going to give us anything for McCann, he's not ready. You don't go to the bakery and pay full price for a half baked loaf of bread.
- CubanBuffet

Teams will pay for a highly skilled first round draft pick with good upside. But I agree, he needs to be in the American hockey league next season.

McCann needs to be put back in the oven, he's not done yet. No gm is going to give us anything for McCann, he's not ready. You don't go to the bakery and pay full price for a half baked loaf of bread.
- CubanBuffet

As long as they continue to ride Henrik, at 36 years of age, as their number one center, he's going to continue to breakdown. The team needs some tremendous growth from the young players in the next two years.
- LeftCoaster

Sutter will be their centre next year

That's all we have is second and third pairing D . I don't see Aquillini as a patient man. I think they will fix it this summer and still continue to draft and develop
- VANTEL

I don't see how they can fix it, one two defensive pairing guys just aren't available. Almost every team is looking to upgrade its dmen.

Sutter will be their centre next year
- VANTEL

Never, Henrik is their #1 center, he's not gonna play wing.

I don't see how they can fix it, one two defensive pairing guys just aren't available. Almost every team is looking to upgrade its dmen.
- LeftCoaster

Goligoski Demers and other free agents are available this summer , but I expect a trade . I do think one of our young players will be involved. Wpg Minny Ana ?

We hopefully can get some offence from Larsen.

Never, Henrik is their #1 center, he's not gonna play wing.
- LeftCoaster

Sutter was covering the Dzone while Hank played up around the blueline earlier in the year. Hank took the draws and then shifted

Goligoski Demers and other free agents are available this summer , but I expect a trade . I do think one of our young players will be involved. Wpg Minny Ana ?

We hopefully can get some offence from Larsen.
- VANTEL

Ya I hope he's good on the PP

And I don't see Gologoski or Demers as upgrades on Edler and Tanev, but they are on Bartkowski and Biega.

Sutter was covering the Dzone while Hank played up around the blueline earlier in the year. Hank took the draws and then shifted
- VANTEL

You're going to see Henrik, Sutter, Horvat down the middle next year...book it

You're going to see Henrik, Sutter, Horvat down the middle next year...book it
- LeftCoaster

Linden said at the last Town Meeting Sutter will play with the twins next year. Ill book that, it makes the most sense. This way they can stay out at the blueline

Linden said at the last Town Meeting Sutter will play with the twins next year. Ill book that, it makes the most sense. This way they can stay out at the blueline
- VANTEL

The only way he'll play with them is as their RW'er. My opinion.

The only way he'll play with them is as their Rw'er.
- LeftCoaster

Split duties , depending where the faceoff is

There are a few of us who feel the same way.....we arent "tank nation" we are sick and tired of high draft picks and we are sick and tired of being at the bottom year in and year out....sick of being laughing stocks....until we can pull the trigger to get two top pairing RD then nothing will change
- RatedR80

Chiarelli has had a year to assess and will make something happen for you guys. Mcdavid is a generational talent and if healthy will lead the league in points next season. Nurse has come around nicely since the start of the year Talbot looks as though he is ready to really be your no 1. But it will take some risk and a few bold moves by Chiarelli. Yak needs to move on and maybe Hopkins. Don't think you can afford to move Hall Eberle at this point. Pack up Yak and Hopkins for Hamonic+ and I can really see Chiarelli making a play for Lucic. With your bottom 6 now with Kassian Maroon Hendricks Add Lucic you have players that can handle the big heavy clubs of the west plus scoring with you top 2 lines. All it will take is a couple of Dmen. I think it's coming for you guys pretty soon.

Split duties , depending where the faceoff is
- VANTEL

When you load up your first line with your only top six players it creates a huge hole on your second line. Baertschi is a fringe second liner and the kids are all bottom six players at this point.

I just don't see it but we'll see what they do this summer.

Linden said at the last Town Meeting Sutter will play with the twins next year. Ill book that, it makes the most sense. This way they can stay out at the blueline
- VANTEL

That will probably happen but don't expect it to last. Once the injury bug hits this MNGT and Coaching staff will need to get creative.

When you load up your first line with your only top six players it creates a huge hole on your second line. Baertschi is a fringe second liner and the kids are all bottom six players at this point.

I just don't see it but we'll see what they do this summer.
- LeftCoaster

You don't know who your second line centre will be next year so wait and see?

Backes Stamkos Bo Mathews Staal? Have to see who is playing there. They have money to fix problems .

That will probably happen but don't expect it to last. Once the injury bug hits this MNGT and Coaching staff will need to get creative.
- LordHumungous

When I see Hank going down to one knee to take the draw because of the pain they may want to look into that.

You don't know who your second line centre will be next year so wait and see?

Backes Stamkos Bo Mathews Staal? Have to see who is playing there. They have money to fix problems .
- VANTEL

No to old guys, RNH on the other hand would suit me fine!

No to old guys, RNH on the other hand would suit me fine!
- LeftCoaster

The point is we don't know who will be there. we are 3 point from last place. Mathews could be our second line centre next year. Could be Bo could be someone else.

The point is we don't know who will be there. we are 3 point from last place. Mathews could be our second line centre next year. Could be Bo could be someone else.
- VANTEL

Yup....I stand by this team is not a playoff team though, regardless of what they do this summer, just not enough NHL quality talent in the lineup.

Unless they sign Stamkos lol, but that ain't happening.

Yup....I stand by this team is not a playoff team though, regardless of what they do this summer, just not enough NHL quality talent in the lineup.

Unless they sign Stamkos lol, but that ain't happening.
- LeftCoaster

what happens if they sign Goligoski Backes and Brouwer

The point is we don't know who will be there. we are 3 point from last place. Mathews could be our second line centre next year. Could be Bo could be someone else.
- VANTEL

Even if Mathews is our 2C next year, he's not going to upgrade the team dramatically in his rookie season. Great to have him aboard, but it will still be a long season.

what happens if they sign Goligoski Backes and Brouwer
- VANTEL

Goligoski and Brouwer are marginal upgrades. Again with Brouwer, we're just adding another bottom 6 player to a team that's full of them. Goligoski we're adding another bottom pairing D (ideally) to a team full of them.

Even if Mathews is our 2C next year, he's not going to upgrade the team dramatically in his rookie season. Great to have him aboard, but it will still be a long season.
- golfingsince

Lefty said we need Sutter as second line centre. I said if we have someone else en we don't need Sutter as second line C