Some explanation by Drury about his/scouting dept thinking on the value of Blais
https://bluelinestation.c...y-draft-buchnevich-trade/
- dashripdot

Would have been nice if they went after Bolduc and reunited him with LAF.

Im gonna toss something different at you...

What if were looking at a line of Panarin, Strome, Goodrow where Goodrow takes the draws?
- aecliptic

Drury's position in moving out Buch was not only for cap room but also for minutes for Kakko and Kravtsov (if he earns icetime), so while Goodrow might be able to provide face-off help on that line, does it take him away from match-ups that Gallant wants him to handle against the opposition? I don't know. We'll have to see what the coach has in mind

Drury's position in moving out Buch was not only for cap room but also for minutes for Kakko and Kravtsov (if he earns icetime), so while Goodrow might be able to provide face-off help on that line, does it take him away from match-ups that Gallant wants him to handle against the opposition? I don't know. We'll have to see what the coach has in mind
- dashripdot

I just read that. I mean we all said Kakko and Krav needed more minutes. Its nice to see the team showing the kids that they are making a full investment in them and removing any controversy over ice time.

The only center I could see us targeting is Coleman in free agency but I think he’s going to price himself out. Dvorak makes sense but MIN OTT VGK NYR and I’m sure others are looking to upgrade at center, the price for Dvorak might be more than we’re willing to pay. Not sure what the move is here.
- nyrangers9479

You're fired as GM.

I think he’s going to price himself out also. He’s going to want around 6, he’s a 3C that someone will pay 2C money for, I just hope it’s not us.
- nyrangers9479

I can see Montreal wanting to hold on to him after his playoff performance.

He's not the player we need and Tampa won't retain
- MeltingPlastic

He’s been playing mostly on the 3rd and 4th line and bet he would still be a 50-60 pt guy on a line with Panarin. I dont think he’d be any worse than Strome and better at faceoffs. If we could get him with a good prospect and flip Strome I think it would be great asset management. Even if we used him as a 3C and let Chytil be the 2C.

they should buy him out
- jimbro83

I don’t think they can afford to retain ANY part of his contract. For the next 2 years we have cap space, use it to make one of these deals where we take cap space for prospects and picks.

He’s been playing mostly on the 3rd and 4th line and bet he would still be a 50-60 pt guy on a line with Panarin. I dont think he’d be any worse than Strome and better at faceoffs. If we could get him with a good prospect and flip Strome I think it would be great asset management. Even if we used him as a 3C and let Chytil be the 2C.
- nyrangers9479

The issue here is what do we do with Strome? Personally, Id keep him and play Johnson on the 3rd line between Kreider and Goodrow. I think that would be a very interesting line to watch.

This isnt by any means ideal but it gives us a pretty hard skating and physical 3rd line.

You're fired as GM.
- Tonybere

I know what my move would be, I have no idea what their plan is

The issue here is what do we do with Strome? Personally, Id keep him and play Johnson on the 3rd line between Kreider and Goodrow. I think that would be a very interesting line to watch.

This isnt by any means ideal but it gives us a pretty hard skating and physical 3rd line.
- aecliptic

Trade him and let Chytil sink or swim as Panarins center. If it doesn’t work out let Johnson move up

Trade him and let Chytil sink or swim as Panarins center. If it doesn’t work out let Johnson move up
- nyrangers9479

I think thats absolutely the wrong move.

Personally Im still hoping they try to pull Dvorak.

I know what my move would be, I have no idea what their plan is
- nyrangers9479

Some explanation by Drury about his/scouting dept thinking on the value of Blais
https://bluelinestation.c...y-draft-buchnevich-trade/
- dashripdot

Thanks for posting. Happy to see Othmann can play either wing. Very happy about what Blais will bring too. Will miss Buch a lot but now it’s time to see what the kids can do in the top 6. Fits Gallants plan of having defined roles for each line. That’s been one of the more frustrating things to watch the past few seasons. No line to change momentum or shut down a teams top line. I expect one of Laf, Kakko or Krav to put up Buch numbers this season filling that void. Think all 3 will take big strides overall making us a better team. A legit #2C will put us over the top.

The issue here is what do we do with Strome? Personally, Id keep him and play Johnson on the 3rd line between Kreider and Goodrow. I think that would be a very interesting line to watch.

This isnt by any means ideal but it gives us a pretty hard skating and physical 3rd line.
- aecliptic

I've read that Francis wants a center because he couldn't get enough in expansion or via trade, and that he's interested in Strome because he can always move him for a pick(s) at the deadline.

Thanks for posting. Happy to see Othmann can play either wing. Very happy about what Blais will bring too. Will miss Buch a lot but now it’s time to see what the kids can do in the top 6. Fits Gallants plan of having defined roles for each line. That’s been one of the more frustrating things to watch the past few seasons. No line to change momentum or shut down a teams top line. I expect one of Laf, Kakko or Krav to put up Buch numbers this season filling that void. Think all 3 will take big strides overall making us a better team. A legit #2C will put us over the top.
- TC88

Agreed. Maybe two of them will.

Buch is a RFA and does he go to arbitration if they can’t sign him to a deal?

Buch is a RFA and does he go to arbitration if they can’t sign him to a deal?
- Rangers99

Yup

I've read that Francis wants a center because he couldn't get enough in expansion or via trade, and that he's interested in Strome because he can always move him for a pick(s) at the deadline.
- dashripdot

Thats fine, if we can swing a trade for a center to play 2C. Until then, Im fine with holding onto Strome if we can upgrade 3C.

I think thats absolutely the wrong move.

Personally Im still hoping they try to pull Dvorak.
- aecliptic

The plan for Johnson would be if they miss out on Dvorak. Trade Strome and have Johnson play where Strome would’ve.

The plan for Johnson would be if they miss out on Dvorak. Trade Strome and have Johnson play where Strome would’ve.
- nyrangers9479

And Chytil still plays 3C? I dont consider that an upgrade at all.

Some explanation by Drury about his/scouting dept thinking on the value of Blais
https://bluelinestation.c...y-draft-buchnevich-trade/
- dashripdot

Thanks.
Love the confidence this kid has.

Trade him and let Chytil sink or swim as Panarins center. If it doesn’t work out let Johnson move up
- nyrangers9479

Really hope Chytil proves me wrong this year and lights it up.

My prediction is sink. If he still can't win faceoffs and they spend their minutes chasing the puck, what's the point of having him with Panarin?

And Chytil still plays 3C? I dont consider that an upgrade at all.
- aecliptic

Would rather have Goodrow as 3C and Chytil on the wing.

Would rather have Goodrow as 3C and Chytil on the wing.
- Fenrir

The kid has a hard enough time playing his natural position, putting him on his off wing on a checking line would put a target on his back.

Heres how I salvage this:

ARI to NYR: Dvorak and Crouse
NYR to ARI: 2022 1st round pick, Chytil, Georgiev and Jones

- Is it an overpay? Totally. But this is what it will take to beat out all other offers for a very good cost controlled C. I can live with this.

NYR sign C. Cizikas, 2y x 3m.

LAF, Zib, Kakko
Panarin, Strome, Krav
Kreider, Dvorak, Goodrow
Crouse, Cizikas, Blais

That bottom 6 is gonna give people nightmares.