Yours?

Ruhwedel, Oleksiak are not AHL material
- Barnaby36

Cheap depth is always in need come playoff time. Not that it comes at a premium, but it’s usually a need.
- Rinosaur

Which is exactly why PIT trading away guys would be a huge red flag.

So you date a lot of fat girls?
- Rinosaur

I use the term perfectly plump.

Spezza has 21 points in 44 games. How the hell is that stopped working?
- j.boyd919

That’s a 39 point pace with plenty of power play time. Is that what you consider planning out for a $7MM player you’re paying to be your 2C? Because I wouldn’t. They brought him in to provide offense like he did the years before last and he’s clearly fallen off. Do we not feel somewhat similar about Brassard? To me this screams Hagelin for Perron, which also worked out for both teams. It also reminds me of Domi for Chucky which has obviously benefitted Montreal more thus far

Which is exactly why PIT trading away guys would be a huge red flag.
- Feds91Stammer

Even wheb you have to move someone due to roster size?

I'm not a huge fan of Spezza coming in at this point. One of the major reasons people want Brass out is his board play and 50/50 battles. That's not improving with Spezza. Spezza also 35 (36 in June) and it's only a little past half point of season. Lots of hockey left before playoffs start. Potentially he could be better than Brass, no doubt, but potentially he could be worse. Hes certainly not as fast for what that's worth. Yeah he has more points than Brass right now but I think he's getting a tiny bit more time a game and time on 1st PP unit. That's worth a few more points if so.
- MattStrat

I don’t think the numbers are the draw on Spezza as much as the type of player he is. Brassard can possibly get back to a 55-60 point pace in dallas as a 2C and I (along with Rino and a few others apparently) believe Spezza can mesh well with Kessel on the 3rd line. I think Spezza could potentially be a .7PPG 3C playing with Phil and Pearson getting 15 minutes a game across even strength and PP2

Dale Weiss on waivers, would like to see him on the 4th line over anyone else they have on there.

That’s a 39 point pace with plenty of power play time. Is that what you consider planning out for a $7MM player you’re paying to be your 2C? Because I wouldn’t. They brought him in to provide offense like he did the years before last and he’s clearly fallen off. Do we not feel somewhat similar about Brassard? To me this screams Hagelin for Perron, which also worked out for both teams. It also reminds me of Domi for Chucky which has obviously benefitted Montreal more thus far
- WSCTeton17

He’s 35 years old. Anyone who’s familiar with the aging curve could have predicted some sort of drop in his production. 40 points is a good total for a 35 year old player. As the GM, he should recognize that in his later years he’s not going to produce like he used to and prepare for it. L But I don’t think he’s “not working.” I would say he’s probably producing like a solid 35 year old player.

Even wheb you have to move someone due to roster size?
- Rinosaur

Nope cause as someone mentioned plug Riikki can be sent to WBS without waivers.

He’s 35 years old. Anyone who’s familiar with the aging curve could have predicted some sort of drop in his production. 40 points is a good total for a 35 year old player. As the GM, he should recognize that in his later years he’s not going to produce like he used to and prepare for it. L But I don’t think he’s “not working.” I would say he’s probably producing like a solid 35 year old player.
- j.boyd919

Justin Williams is 37, is more appropriately paid, and is producing at a 50+ point pace. Ray Whitney was performing at a .75PPG pace entering and playing in his early 40’s. There are enough examples (I used Guerin before) of older players performing under the right fit and given what the market looks like I think Spezza (to come in and play with Phil, uplift PP2, and be possible insurance if injuries strike) is well worth the risk

Ryan Reaves has more points than Brass this year.

Is it too late for a mulligan on that trade?

Nope cause as someone mentioned plug Riikki can be sent to WBS without waivers.
- Feds91Stammer

Not to mention he’s just not any good. Dunno why a team would trade for him.

Justin Williams is 37, is more appropriately paid, and is producing at a 50+ point pace. Ray Whitney was performing at a .75PPG pace entering and playing in his early 40’s. There are enough examples (I used Guerin before) of older players performing under the right fit and given what the market looks like I think Spezza (to come in and play with Phil, uplift PP2, and be possible insurance if injuries strike) is well worth the risk
- WSCTeton17

Not to mention he’s just not any good. Dunno why a team would trade for him.
- j.boyd919

I think Rikki > JJ, JO and Rudy.... The hardest of those 3 for me to say that would be JO but I like Rikkis transition and skating better and he might even be bit better/smarter with his physicality than JO.

I know there's some bad fancy stats for Rikki, especially earlier in season, but that could be said for every dman outside the top 2.

I think Rikki > JJ, JO and Rudy.... The hardest of those 3 for me to say that would be JO but I like Rikkis transition and skating better and he might even be bit better/smarter with his physicality than JO.

I know there's some bad fancy stats for Rikki, especially earlier in season, but that could be said for every dman outside the top 2.
- MattStrat

70% of his games played are below a 50% CF.

He sucks man. Just accept it.

I don’t think the numbers are the draw on Spezza as much as the type of player he is. Brassard can possibly get back to a 55-60 point pace in dallas as a 2C and I (along with Rino and a few others apparently) believe Spezza can mesh well with Kessel on the 3rd line. I think Spezza could potentially be a .7PPG 3C playing with Phil and Pearson getting 15 minutes a game across even strength and PP2
- WSCTeton17

I just think that line would be super soft. I've a always felt Spezza was a major pushover physically and I feel that way about Phil too. Phil though is still elite offensively and a strong skater, so that can mask other things which I'm totally fine with. I watched alot of Spezza when he played in Ottawa and never liked his game. Admittidly, I have seen very, very little of his Stars days but I can't imagine he's gotten stronger on the puck but he has definitely gotten slower and his production has taken a dive.

If this trade were to happen I wouldn't lose sleep over it, and certainly has the potential to work better than Brass so far, but I'd prefer swapping Brass for a younger more tenacious guy.

70% of his games played are below a 50% CF.

He sucks man. Just accept it.
- Feds91Stammer

Hahaha I have no emotional attechment to the guy but have watched every single game he's played in and since his very long layoff/scratch I thought he's looks much better. I just can't say he sucks as bad as others are. I'd love to see his zone exit/entry stats.

I just think that line would be super soft. I've a always felt Spezza was a major pushover physically and I feel that way about Phil too. Phil though is still elite offensively and a strong skater, so that can mask other things which I'm totally fine with. I watched alot of Spezza when he played in Ottawa and never liked his game. Admittidly, I have seen very, very little of his Stars days but I can't imagine he's gotten stronger on the puck but he has definitely gotten slower and his production has taken a dive.

If this trade were to happen I wouldn't lose sleep over it, and certainly has the potential to work better than Brass so far, but I'd prefer swapping Brass for a younger more tenacious guy.
- MattStrat

Hahaha I have no emotional attechment to the guy but have watched every single game he's played in and since his very long layoff/scratch I thought he's looks much better. I just can't say he sucks as bad as others are. I'd love to see his zone exit/entry stats.
- MattStrat

Its worth noting that Rikkola hasn't played his natural side like once since being here. I don't think he's a for sure bust, but he needs to be sent down where he can play his natural side to get acclimated to NA ice until an actual left side spot opens up for him in the big club.

70% of his games played are below a 50% CF.

He sucks man. Just accept it.
- Feds91Stammer

And what about the rest of their D, what % of games are they under 50% CF

Its worth noting that Rikkola hasn't played his natural side like once since being here. I don't think he's a for sure bust, but he needs to be sent down where he can play his natural side to get acclimated to NA ice until an actual left side spot opens up for him in the big club.
- Victoro311

Agreed. You've mentioned it before, but the guy should of spent alot more time in AHL.

Ryan Reaves has more points than Brass this year.

Is it too late for a mulligan on that trade?
- Murphy_Dump

Yes, and still no one here who viewed that as a bad pickup at the time.

I wont fault JR for this one not panning out.

I think Rikki > JJ, JO and Rudy.... The hardest of those 3 for me to say that would be JO but I like Rikkis transition and skating better and he might even be bit better/smarter with his physicality than JO.

I know there's some bad fancy stats for Rikki, especially earlier in season, but that could be said for every dman outside the top 2.
- MattStrat

JO's fancy stats are nearly as good as our top 2.

You should avoid using then I'd you want to put subpar Dmen above him.

Riikola needed AHL time and still does badly.

JO's fancy stats are nearly as good as our top 2.

You should avoid using then I'd you want to put subpar Dmen above him.

Riikola needed AHL time and still does badly.
- Guile

I'm not sure why he's not down in the A playing right now. We have so many dmen it doesn't make sense

While I generally think trading for a RW wouldnt make a ton of sense, I could see Silfverberg being a great fit with Sid.

Also, with all the talks surrounding the Oilers, Puljujarvi could possibly be that guy but obviously a bit more risky.