I also don't see how JV has earned top6 ice at this point. I think he's bottom6 until he forces TG's hand. Liepsic/goldy, Bae, LE (much to my disgust) and Boeser are the top6 wingers.
- neem55

He's Van's Tom Wilson, doesn't belong there but is needed for the added physicality. Will do better with better skilled players.

Wilson played with Backstrom and Kuznetsov and Ovechkin for pretty much the entire season. 35 points? 87, 83,71 for the players he played with mostly.

Lines are not numbered. Revisit earlier posts. Lines are built for roles & chemistry.
- Nighthawk

Insult the younger players isn't putting them all on the same line together.

Finishing 21-25.

Picking 10th.

mark it.
- LordHumungous

You're lucky Lefty forced me to open the book today.

I’m sure there are plenty of ways it could have been accomplished, but here is one alternative that I would have preferred.

If they were going to have to overpay anyway, I would have rather they overpaid a more offensive player. Say what you want but Tyler Bozak has shown he is capable of a supporting offensive role. I would have offered him a 2 year deal, 5 ish mil per. I would have kept Sutter as the Shutdown guy and I would have signed someone to challenge Gaudette for a 4th line C role. Someone that could easily be sent to Utica because they are on a one way contract.

This gives your young offensive top 9 forwards a better opportunity to realize success, and it allows a player like Pettersson to grow into the role as a C, if that’s ultimately where he is going to play.

Or, I would have gone hard after Spezza from Dallas to see what I could get, or get rid of...Eriksson... for one year of Spezza.

Basically, I would have looked for the best offensive C Incould find on the shortest deal possible.
- 1970vintage

Bozak sucks goat balls and cost 15 mil . He is more expensive than Sutter . Beagels entire contract is 3 mil cheaper

What i will predict is TG will expect every player to buy into his system & be in great shape & clear minded to perform. Make bone headed mistakes & its 0 tolerance. Play like you practice & TOI will follow suit if players gain the coaches confidence. That is tenuous by its very nature & needs to be proven repeatedly. Kids will understand that or sit. Vets get the benefit of the doubt more often but its not written in stone.

Insult the younger players isn't putting them all on the same line together.
- manvanfan

3 kids on the same line is risky agreed.
I remember Gradin Smyl & Fraser gelling & became a very good line. Its my templet.

Why i think JV AG EP is worth a shot...

AG plays a 200’ game
JV speed & north south
EP shifty & a playmaker

AG can finish
JV a lethal shot if he uses it more
EP can shoot or pass making him dangerous & ops keys on him. When they do ice opens up. He drives the play & AG & JV spin off of that. JV also helps on the back check very well to go along with AG. Solid D helps them get TOI. Takes the heat off of Bo’s line. Off the rush EP can use JV & AG is good all over the ice. He has to learn how to fit in still but he strives to get better. Lots of factors could make that line tons of fun.

3 kids on the same line is risky agreed.
I remember Gradin Smyl & Fraser gelling & became a very good line. Its my templet.
- Nighthawk

That happened 8 years before I was born. I'll take your word for it.

Pouliot is going to have a big year.

I am wondering if Benning pulls the trigger on Loui?

One was what I wanted the other was what I thought would happen.

I also got roasted for having Roussel on the second line
- VANTEL

It’s hard not getting roasted considering the options


Year 5 baby

He's Van's Tom Wilson, doesn't belong there but is needed for the added physicality. Will do better with better skilled players.

Wilson played with Backstrom and Kuznetsov and Ovechkin for pretty much the entire season. 35 points? 87, 83,71 for the players he played with mostly.
- manvanfan

Except Wilson embraces his role, that guy is a forechecking beast and doesn’t back down even after a fight or suspension.

He’s a different animal than JV

It’s hard not getting roasted considering the options


Year 5 baby
- Nucker101

When you have little skill in the top 6 you can probably go to 8 rinks and find better options

I was serious last year when I said I think the Comets could have beaten the Canucks in an 7 game series

Except Wilson embraces his role, that guy is a forechecking beast and doesn’t back down even after a fight or suspension.

He’s a different animal than JV
- Nucker101

Comparing JV to Wilson is nuts at this stage.

(Not meant for you)

That happened 8 years before I was born. I'll take your word for it.
- manvanfan

Hockey hasn't changed over the decades.

Bad move. He should go pro.

Hello?

When you have little skill in the top 6 you can probably go to 8 rinks and find better options

I was serious last year when I said I think the Comets could have beaten the Canucks in an 7 game series
- VANTEL

0,001% of chance

That happened 8 years before I was born. I'll take your word for it.
- manvanfan

Lightning in a bottle would be nice 😂😂

Hello?
- CanuckDon

Hi bro. Long time no see

Except Wilson embraces his role, that guy is a forechecking beast and doesn’t back down even after a fight or suspension.

He’s a different animal than JV
- Nucker101

You can compare Wilson to Lucic. At least Lucic was able to put up points while playing with better players. Now they are both overpaid.

(frank) you Ek!

Comparing JV to Wilson is nuts at this stage.

(Not meant for you)
- VANTEL

I was just using an example of a player who doesn't belong in a top 6 but is there because he is physical.

Hockey hasn't changed over the decades.
- A_SteamingLombardi

3 decades and it's still the same. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

You can compare Wilson to Lucic. At least Lucic was able to put up points while playing with better players. Now they are both overpaid.
- manvanfan

Ferklund.