I hear you, but I do kinda agree with where SSB's taking this -- do you just purge every guy who isn't the best skater right now now now, even if they do a ton of things better than some of the other guys you have on your roster?

Grossmann has limitations. Yes. But be honest: If it's the last 60 seconds of a game and you're up by a goal and you gotta have two points, would you rather have Grossmann or MacDonald out there?
- AllInForFlyers

Both. MacDonald is one of the best defenseman on the team in limiting shots against. Also a very good shot blocker. I'm a big Grossmann fan, but they can't have Grossmann, Luke Schenn, and Gudas all in the lineup.

Good Lord -- the Draft Lottery is ridiculously overproduced
- AllInForFlyers

Now you see why the NHL changed how they did theirs this year.

Hakstol's first line of business what to do with Rinaldo
- ob18

Lots of people might be disappointed next season if Rinaldo is still around.

Now you see why the NHL changed how they did theirs this year.
- ob18

No kidding -- man. This has been excruciating

Okay
- ob18

8th pick, right? RIGHT?

Eff

8th pick, right? RIGHT?
- PhillySportsGuy

My bad

I don't either, but those are the kind of players Hakstol's system will need. not plodding guys who are poor passers like Grossmann, not slower guys who have difficulty reading plays like Schenn.

Age really has nothing to do with it. A guy like Brian Campbell would be an example of the kind of guy that could thrive under the system Hakstol ran at UND. Guys like Alexander Edler or Trevor Daly seem like they'd be good fits.

I don't think they'll abandon bigger defensemen, but I do think that it's going to have to be a bigger dude who can skate and move the puck well.

Not sure how a trade made 11 months before Hakstol was hired has any bearing on the discussion, but the Umberger trade isn't about defensemen or age-Hartnell is roughly the same age as Umberger. In terms of that being a bad trade or not...really doesn't have anything to do with Umberger being a better skater. Umberger is a guy who seems to be in decline and who was injured from the get go, while Hartnell was healthy and still playing well.
- Jsaquella

yea I think Schultz is about as immobile/archaic as this new coach will want to get, we'll see

My bad
- ob18

Just like last year, the top 3 separate themselves imo. Getting in the top 3 is huge. I know you care a lot

Just like last year, the top 3 separate themselves imo. Getting in the top 3 is huge. I know you care a lot
- PhillySportsGuy

So you're thinking Towns/Okafor, Okafor/Towns, then Russell for the Sixers?

Could be a worse fate, I guess

yea I think Schultz is about as immobile/archaic as this new coach will want to get, we'll see
- Just5

I would rather give Manning a chance to be in the top 6 over Schultz.

So you're thinking Towns/Okafor, Okafor/Towns, then Russell for the Sixers?

Could be a worse fate, I guess
- AllInForFlyers

I just want Russell

If the Wolves or Lakers take him, I'll be fine with either big man

I just want Russell

If the Wolves or Lakers take him, I'll be fine with either big man
- PhillySportsGuy

Understood. You obviously track it more closely than I do, but wouldn't they be better served in moving the pick for a guard they like, if Russell's gone? There has to be a young one out there who can help them for that pick, right?

I would rather give Manning a chance to be in the top 6 over Schultz.
- 3flyerkids

No problem with that. I expect Manning to be in the top 7 mix

That Mudiay (sp?) is going to be a good player. Could be another John Wall.

Weird to have Mark Jackson calling Warriors/Rockets -- that is just flat-out weird

How many future 1sts is the 3rd overall worth?

The NBA.

So are we off the ledge yet? I like the risk. The same old same old wasn't working, so let's see what this brings.

How many future 1sts is the 3rd overall worth?

The NBA.
- hereticpride

He goes for 2nd round picks in trades

I just want Russell

If the Wolves or Lakers take him, I'll be fine with either big man
- PhillySportsGuy

yeah, not a bad day staying in the top 3. Very good shot at 4 1st rd picks next year if Hinkie holds them all which is no lock.

Umberger was brought here specifically in mind of being a better skater and adds to the speed of the team. Not the case though. Thirty-two years of age.
- SuperSchennBros

Yes it was a bad trade. Those will happen sometimes. Guys will be traded for and be expected to bring a certain element, and fail to do so. Doesn't mean that every guy that they trade for will be in decline or dealing with injuries.

Brian Campbell is 35. Still a fantastic skater. Andrei Markov is 36, still a good skater and good puck moving defenseman. Mark Streit, 38, still a good skater and puck moving defenseman.

Umberger was coming off a bad season, had an injury when acquired that needed surgery, and suffered an additional injury during the season that further hampered him. What that has to do with adding defensemen who can skate and move the puck well I'm not sure.

yea I think Schultz is about as immobile/archaic as this new coach will want to get, we'll see
- Just5

He probably is. But he's still a fairly decent skater.

I just can't see him or Hextall embracing the traditional stay at home guy to the extent Holmgren did. I think the new model will be guys like Morin or Alt, who are fairly mobile in addition to being big.

Does anybody else feel jealous about the Kucherov-Johnson-Palat line? one undrafted guy, one very late 2nd rounder, one 7th rounder, all signed by Tampa.

In 15 playoff games, 40 points and 21 goals. In the regular season, 200 points.

GO HAWKS!!!

Understood. You obviously track it more closely than I do, but wouldn't they be better served in moving the pick for a guard they like, if Russell's gone? There has to be a young one out there who can help them for that pick, right?
- AllInForFlyers

I think you go BPA if Russel is off the board.

There are enough minutes to play Noel, Embiid and Towns/Okafor over the next couple years. You can trade one later. There are 29 other teams who would be interested in a young, talented big man who has developed