At the risk of being verbally assaulted, I'll say that I'm only really thinking out loud here...but I wonder if they don't try to use Toews as trade bait this offseason. That would assume that they think Aho can provide comparable value at a significantly cheaper cost, but a young-ish top-4 defenseman that won't sign a big ticket deal should have some good value in a trade. He'd be a really great piece on a deep team.
- eichiefs9

I see your point but I’m not on board with it. Normal slump for a 2nd year defenseman imo. Cost controlled, young, etc. if anything this slump gives us some more negotiating power. Have to make room for these young kids I can see Leddy being moved of Aho and Dobson look ready by the end of the season.

Does it make sense to sit Toews for Aho for a game?
- ses111

Not at all imo. Then you have two kids in Aho and Dobson playing in the same game. Not sure that’s the right move until we know what they’re capable of...

I see your point but I’m not on board with it. Normal slump for a 2nd year defenseman imo. Cost controlled, young, etc. if anything this slump gives us some more negotiating power. Have to make room for these young kids I can see Leddy being moved of Aho and Dobson look ready by the end of the season.
- Cptmjl

I do think Leddy need to be the one to be moved.

I would put Bellows with Brassard and give him some games. MDC is just not brining the offense. Something needs to be done with that 3rd line while Lou looks for some deals. Lou has to show moves will be made and it's not going to be like before where the players get forever to show something.
- ses111

I believe Trotz’s hesitation with Bellows is his skating and more importantly his defensive game.

I do think Leddy need to be the one to be moved.
- ses111

I only move Leddy if both Aho and Dobson look like they can stick.

I believe Trotz’s hesitation with Bellows is his skating and more importantly his defensive game.
- Cptmjl

Teams needs an offensive spark though.

I only move Leddy if both Aho and Dobson look like they can stick.
- Cptmjl

If the Isles continue to miss in FA, they will have to move a dman.

I only move Leddy if both Aho and Dobson look like they can stick.
- Cptmjl

I was all aboard the "Move Leddy" train, but Trotz seemed to squash any notion of that happening in training camp or soon after when he outright said that he's going nowhere.

Of course, things change...but that just seems unlikely to me.

I was all aboard the "Move Leddy" train, but Trotz seemed to squash any notion of that happening in training camp or soon after when he outright said that he's going nowhere.
- eichiefs9

I understand not moving Leddy now but unless Barry and Lou improve their FA recruiting skills, someone needs to be moved and Toews is younger than Leddy.

Teams needs an offensive spark though.
- ses111

I agree but I’m hoping the focus is on trading for that. Not sure Bellows is the answer with the knocks on his game?

I was all aboard the "Move Leddy" train, but Trotz seemed to squash any notion of that happening in training camp or soon after when he outright said that he's going nowhere.

Of course, things change...but that just seems unlikely to me.
- eichiefs9

Yeah I was also for the right player. I think(hope) they want to keep the team intact and trade for some offensive help.

Not sure if anyone discussed it and I don't feel like going back to check, but Toews has been pretty awful lately. Not really enjoying his game.
- eichiefs9

It will be on the final exam.

- mdw7413

Nice of you and the GF to send out cards to everyone. Thanks for thinking of us.

- mdw7413

I agree but I’m hoping the focus is on trading for that. Not sure Bellows is the answer with the knocks on his game?
- Cptmjl

Hard to have faith in trades and especially with the Isles. I would look at internal options now.

Not at all imo. Then you have two kids in Aho and Dobson playing in the same game. Not sure that’s the right move until we know what they’re capable of...
- Cptmjl

It's one game and not the rest of the season. Maybe it gets Toews attention?

I understand not moving Leddy now but unless Barry and Lou improve their FA recruiting skills, someone needs to be moved and Toews is younger than Leddy.
- ses111

All of a sudden, it doesn't feel like we have the depth at D that we had for years. Whatever happened to these guys in Bridge like VandenSompel or Wotherspoon? I don't keep up with the Sound Tigers.

All of a sudden, it doesn't feel like we have the depth at D that we had for years. Whatever happened to these guys in Bridge like VandenSompel or Wotherspoon? I don't keep up with the Sound Tigers.
- JohnScammo

I'm wondering the same thing John. Just feel the Isles as a whole are still afraid to try players in Bridge. Other teams seem to be able to call players up from the farm.

I'm wondering the same thing John. Just feel the Isles as a whole are still afraid to try players in Bridge. Other teams seem to be able to call players up from the farm.
- ses111

I just googled it. Vande Sompel was lost for the season due to injury, and is expected to need yet another year in Bridge as a result.

I just googled it. Vande Sompel was lost for the season due to injury, and is expected to need yet another year in Bridge as a result.
- JohnScammo

I still think Lou needs more changes with the scouts and new coaches in Bridge. Very surprised this did not happen when Lou was hired. Lou seems to be deferring to Chris on some of these things.

All of a sudden, it doesn't feel like we have the depth at D that we had for years. Whatever happened to these guys in Bridge like VandenSompel or Wotherspoon? I don't keep up with the Sound Tigers.
- JohnScammo

Vande Sompel got hurt in training camp and is out for the entire season. If I recall correctly, he went shoulder-first into a post and did some pretty good damage. Wotherspoon was a guy I thought had a shot at being an NHL player, but it doesn't seem like that's going to be the case.

I still think Lou needs more changes with the scouts and new coaches in Bridge. Very surprised this did not happen when Lou was hired. Lou seems to be deferring to Chris on some of these things.
- ses111

Don't forget Bridgeport has dealt with a ton of injuries/absences this year. We've taken Bardreau and Wahlstrom away from them for long periods of time and then Bardreau was injured his first game back and Wahlstrom just took a few weeks off for the WJC's. Gibson has been injured in net which forced them to plug in some young/underwhelming netminders. Fritz and Hickey have pretty much been out all season as well. Ho Sang was missing for almost the entire season until very recently also.

Don't forget Bridgeport has dealt with a ton of injuries/absences this year. We've taken Bardreau and Wahlstrom away from them for long periods of time and then Bardreau was injured his first game back and Wahlstrom just took a few weeks off for the WJC's. Gibson has been injured in net which forced them to plug in some young/underwhelming netminders. Fritz and Hickey have pretty much been out all season as well. Ho Sang was missing for almost the entire season until very recently also.
- eichiefs9

All true Chief. I just do not think Thompson is the right coach and Lou needs better scouts in terms of the draft. I'm not concerned with Bridge's record. I'm concerned players are not being developed properly.

Hard to have faith in trades and especially with the Isles. I would look at internal options now.
- ses111

My point being they shouldn’t be whether you have faith or not they need to be looking to trade Bellows rather than call him up. There were Islander scouts at the Ducks game evidently.