I don't like the idea of trading Drouin.
If we are trading Drouin for Galchenyuk and a 1st (25th OA), then are we trading Johnson for defense? Galchenyuk is a center, right? We would have four top 6 centers so it would make sense to trade Johnson. We could package either the 14th or 25th OA pick with Johnson to get that defenseman. What could we get with that?
Point had a decent stretch last year and Galchenyuk has had a few good runs but neither is an established top 6 center yet. I would keep them all another season to see who emerges the best. It's also insurance for Stamkos and Johnson as both are coming off of injury. I also don't think a top 4 defender is as big a need if Stralman plays on the 2nd pair. Put him with Koekkoek and he can carry him like Hedman will Dotchin and the top 4 is ok. Let Koekkoek vet comfortable and become the top 4 D he's supposed to.
I think with keeping Vasy over Bishop Yzerman showed he's willing to take risks, and going with Point/Galchenyuk as a top 6 center would be much less of a risk than going with Vasy as a starter. But I agree that Dotchin reduced our need of a defenseman a lot by allowing us to move Strålman to the 2nd pairing. But we're pretty weak on the left side. After Hedman we have Garrison, Coburn and Koekkoek and as of now none of them is a legit top 4 defenseman. Koekkoek can become one but he didn't impress anyone this season.
The left side is better than the right. Dotchin isn't a top 4 defender either, he's there because he works with Hedman better than anyone else besides Stralman. Hedman > Stralman, Coburn > Sustr, Koekkoek > Dotchin.
Maybe Dotchin isn't so great on his own but the right side definitely is much better because of how well he fits with Hedman. The depth on our defense improved greatly and a top 4 of Hedman, Dotchin, Strålman and someone solid from a trade would be great. Then the 3rd pairing can be 2 of Koekkoek/Garrison/Coburn/Sustr. One of them as a 7th defenseman. I don't expect us to keep both Garrison and Coburn.
The Bobbie Mack thread with the Drouin and Point for Galchenyuk "trade" was a ******** fake Twitter account
NOT REAL!
If you do with Koekkoek like they did with Dotchin, the top 4 is fine. Koekkoek hasn't been babysat by either Hedman or Stralman yet, he had a mix of bottom pair partners. Stralman is our best shutdown defender, let him protect Koekkoek so he can be the one with the puck in transition and it'll allow Koekkoek to do what he does best. The top 4 is solid but not great but can be if Koekkoek and Dotchin keep developing.
Garrison will be gone hopefully or the 7th defender. Coburn - Sustr should be the 3rd pair, take the tough defensive zone draws and top PK. Let the top 4 feast on easier competition and better zone starts.
Any interest in a year of Beauchemin? Got bought out by the Avs today. Haven't kept up with him the past two seasons but could be an interesting 4-5 guy on a one year deal if he hasn't completely fallen off.
What about Phil Myers for Jo?
We are not trading Drouin for a prospect. We want to win now.
Myers is NHL ready.
Let me rephrase myself then. We are not trading Drouin for someone who hasn't proven anything in the NHL yet.
Let me rephrase myself then. We are not trading Drouin for someone who hasn't proven anything in the NHL yet.