2014 CBJ Offseason Thread

[Crede777]

Yep, like him. That's one.

I would make the argument that Dubinsky and Johnson are two and three.

Then in a (probably short) while we'll have Johansen, Calvert, and Jenner who already looked great for postseason rookies.

We could probably add one more forward but instead of who? Skille's spot I assume was in replacement of Horton. Easy answer would be Umberger but he was really hampered by injuries and still tried super hard (that shotblock that lead to the Foligno goal in OT for instance).

 

[NotWendell]

I would make the argument that Dubinsky and Johnson are two and three.

Then in a (probably short) while we'll have Johansen, Calvert, and Jenner who already looked great for postseason rookies.

We could probably add one more forward but instead of who? Skille's spot I assume was in replacement of Horton. Easy answer would be Umberger but he was really hampered by injuries and still tried super hard (that shotblock that lead to the Foligno goal in OT for instance).

I'd be surprised if Umberger is still with the club next season. I can see Skille coming back as a fourth liner. Jarmo had it right, we need more skill, which means someone has to go.

 

[EDM]

Well with the Pen's crash, it is obvious there is one team that will be shaking things up. Yokinnen may become available as the pens look to change things up. Niskassen will probably become available too.

 

[S1N4TR4]

Well with the Pen's crash, it is obvious there is one team that will be shaking things up. Yokinnen may become available as the pens look to change things up. Niskassen will probably become available too.

I'm sorry but that has to be the worst way I've ever saw Jussi Jokinen's last name misspelled.

 

[Kev22]

Reading some in the Trade page, some of the Pittsburgh fans think James Neal would be available for the right package. Now, I'm not saying that we go get him, because he's an asshat, but I think that has to be explored. He fits the mold we are trying to fill. Fast, physical, hits (sometimes illegally) and has a lot of skill. He's a #1 LW and we need that desperately. Neal-Johansen-Horton, that's a line combination that has it all. That is a legit #1 line.

 

[EDM]

You are right. Late at night and I was in a hurry. My bad.

 

[Fro]

sigh...i hate that you have a good point Kev...I want no part of him, but yeah...a goal scorer that hits is what we're tryign to do...

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Reading some in the Trade page, some of the Pittsburgh fans think James Neal would be available for the right package. Now, I'm not saying that we go get him, because he's an asshat, but I think that has to be explored. He fits the mold we are trying to fill. Fast, physical, hits (sometimes illegally) and has a lot of skill. He's a #1 LW and we need that desperately. Neal-Johansen-Horton, that's a line combination that has it all. That is a legit #1 line.

I have been pondering this, too, because his primary skill is the one the CBJ needs. But in truth, he's not really that physical, and he is not a high-IQ nor a high-drive player. I just don't know...

People are gonna think I'm crazy, but the guy who interests me most there is Rob Scuderi, but that sets a whole bunch of stuff in motion, IMO (the trading, in a separate deal, of Tyutin, specifically), and I'm not sure that's the best way to go.

 

[cslebn]

Reading some in the Trade page, some of the Pittsburgh fans think James Neal would be available for the right package. Now, I'm not saying that we go get him, because he's an asshat, but I think that has to be explored. He fits the mold we are trying to fill. Fast, physical, hits (sometimes illegally) and has a lot of skill. He's a #1 LW and we need that desperately. Neal-Johansen-Horton, that's a line combination that has it all. That is a legit #1 line.

There were also some Bruins fans trying to sell Marchand in there yesterday. I think I'd rather have him than Neal bu that's me (and it sure ain't gonna happen).

 

[Kev22]

I have been pondering this, too, because his primary skill is the one the CBJ needs. But in truth, he's not really that physical, and he is not a high-IQ nor a high-drive player. I just don't know...

People are gonna think I'm crazy, but the guy who interests me most there is Rob Scuderi, but that sets a whole bunch of stuff in motion, IMO (the trading, in a separate deal, of Tyutin, specifically), and I'm not sure that's the best way to go.

I agree with him not being high IQ. We saw that in our series. He takes retaliatory penalties and stupid offensive zone penalties. How many times did he get called for interference? He's got his flaws, but he's still a fit, as much as I hate to admit that.

 

[Kev22]

There were also some Bruins fans trying to sell Marchand in there yesterday. I think I'd rather have him than Neal bu that's me (and it sure ain't gonna happen).

I'm the opposite. Really both aren't the most likeable players, but I think that Neal more fits the mold. I'm not taking anything away from Marchand. Pair him with Dubinsky and Calvert and Crosby would probably cry himself to sleep the night before a game against us. In this situation, I think Neal is far more available than Marchand.

 

[IHeartZherdev*]

I have been pondering this, too, because his primary skill is the one the CBJ needs. But in truth, he's not really that physical, and he is not a high-IQ nor a high-drive player. I just don't know...

People are gonna think I'm crazy, but the guy who interests me most there is Rob Scuderi, but that sets a whole bunch of stuff in motion, IMO (the trading, in a separate deal, of Tyutin, specifically), and I'm not sure that's the best way to go.

I think you're crazy


Scuds got smoked all playoffs and is old and slow.

 

[cbjfaninmo]

I'm the opposite. Really both aren't the most likeable players, but I think that Neal more fits the mold. I'm not taking anything away from Marchand. Pair him with Dubinsky and Calvert and Crosby would probably cry himself to sleep the night before a game against us. In this situation, I think Neal is far more available than Marchand.

Good idea with Neal. I don't think Marchand will be available.

 

[major major]

Reading some in the Trade page, some of the Pittsburgh fans think James Neal would be available for the right package. Now, I'm not saying that we go get him, because he's an asshat, but I think that has to be explored. He fits the mold we are trying to fill. Fast, physical, hits (sometimes illegally) and has a lot of skill. He's a #1 LW and we need that desperately. Neal-Johansen-Horton, that's a line combination that has it all. That is a legit #1 line.

Neal would probably drive us nuts with stupid penalties and bad puck decisions.

But yeah if we could acquire him we probably should. We could really use a big mean sniper.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Here's the issue with pitching for Neal. Pens already need scoring wingers. Only reason to trade Neal is because of his liabilities, but for Pens it adds another hole at top 6 wing. CBJ doesn't really have one of those.

In the real world, Atkinson plus something might be something that could start a conversation, but my guess is that, on here, Pens fans would scoff (because they undervalue Cam - and because they'd say they're already tinkering with Gibbons there - an undersized speedy tweener).

 

[Fro]

Umby and Cam?

 

[pete goegan]

Neal would probably drive us nuts with stupid penalties and bad puck decisions.

But yeah if we could acquire him we probably should. We could really use a big mean sniper.

Neal isn't just stupid and mean, he's dirty. That's not what I want to see added to this team.

 

[Fro]

Bob just brought up a good point about Neal, Boll is one of his best friends...

 

[Xoggz22]

I do not want to see Neal on this team. Can't stand him and think his value has been inflated playing on a team with Crosby and Malkin. His hockey IQ is not where we need it to be and we don't have the supporting cast, currently, to handle his mistakes.

No thank you.

 

[Mayor Bee]

Bob just brought up a good point about Neal, Boll is one of his best friends...

So who do we want to pick up from Pittsburgh for Boll?

 

[Fro]

So who do we want to pick up from Pittsburgh for Boll?

even better thought...they need someone to protect Sindy...

 

[Kev22]

even better thought...they need someone to protect Sindy...

...and we could use someone to pawn off Boll's 1.7M a year contract. I think we saw last year that the Jackets could play very well without Boll. To me, he's such a situational player that I don't think he's worth the money.

 

[EspenK]

I'm not sure why Pittsburgh would trade Neal. I don't think he was/is the problem. I think Lundqvist was.

 

[CBJRzeznik]

I'm not sure why Pittsburgh would trade Neal. I don't think he was/is the problem. I think Lundqvist was.

The logic I have read is that fans/analysts feel you can't trade Malkin but that the forward group needs a shake-up, so Neal is the guy with value who can be moved. Not saying I agree w/ that position. Irrespective, I doubt Pens deal Neal within the division. Something out west like SJ or LA who may be looking to similarly shakeup their forwards a bit seems to be more likely.

 

[major major]

The logic I have read is that fans/analysts feel you can't trade Malkin but that the forward group needs a shake-up, so Neal is the guy with value who can be moved. Not saying I agree w/ that position. Irrespective, I doubt Pens deal Neal within the division. Something out west like SJ or LA who may be looking to similarly shakeup their forwards a bit seems to be more likely.

Yeah Pittsburgh does not need to shake up their forwards. Just about anything else in their org should change first: Coach, GM, goaltending, defence. But try coming up with some plausible trades/signings that make the offence better, and its tough.