If they don’t get the 2C position solved this season it’s a straight up failure. Mack’s last year on a steal of a deal and you have a cup winning team in its prime. If the position isn’t filled internally they need to pay up to fill that hole.
The only other option I can fathom would be to get Kane and allow him to effectively run the 2nd line from the wing. This would also push Lehks down to the third line which would make us that much deeper on the wings.
I mean he had 15 in 16. He was very good in the playoffs and it’s not a coincidence we got over the hump having competent 2C play(and obviously Makar somehow taking another jump). Not to say we need a PPG but he was integral in our run.
Even then that’s pretty risky. Obviously the Hawks won cups with him running his own line, and he’s still very very good. But is he good enough to run a cup contending line with Newhook, Meyers or Compher at C? That’s a tall task.
First world problems I guess. Someone will play 2C and probably be pretty good with the linemates and defensive support they get. And I don't know if I agree that they don't win the Cup without Kadri. Yeah he helped but JTC was helpful in that role too. Before last season there was all this woe is us, the best chance to win had passed and they lost depth players and their goalie. So I just don't buy into this idea that the team won't win again because they didn't go overpay for a center.
This is the crux of the issue of the capspace. Even $1m overage could force them to have to trade someone like Meyers or Newhook in addition to one of Girard/Toews who are likely already going to have to be moved regardless.
I have no idea if Calgary was the problem for Sam Bennett or if he's just a shitty hockey player that was over drafted and frankly neither do you. His career numbers are pedestrian outside of a short stint in Florida. What is closing off the blood flow to your brain that is causing you to believe a 95 game sample size is more representative of a player than a 400 game sample size? Shiny new toy syndrome? HFAvs group think?
LOL, no he didn't, but I'm not surprised someone that immediately resorts to logical fallacies and ad hominems would think otherwise.
Gotcha, so Valeri Nichushkin's career arc should be uniformly applied to every underachieving forward, right? All NHL players are a fungible commodity after all.
About the level of response I would expect.Today I learned that Sam Bennett is a lottery ticket
I'm just disappointed you haven't given me any feedback on my trade proposal. If you look at their histories both Colin White and Val Nichushkin have had the exact same career path. The Avs would be idiots not to send Girard to Florida and fix their #2C position for good.You bring out the best in me
What the hell is that? Gluten-free crust topped with avocado?
Pizza, Beer, Bagels... in Saint Louis it's a patern of abominable behavior.
I think we can all agree on this. I still remain confident that this can actually be replaced internally, which would enable us to go after a winger which would cost less. I just don't think that with the type of wingers we have, the C position is not that important. Just have to have a guy who's good at taking draws. The most important thing is having a top-6 point producing player. We need Newhook to step up one way or another.
I think we will get a deal done before the season. When the camp opens and MacKinnon and MacFarland (and Sakic) actually get to meet face to face instead of just talking through his agent, things will probably proceed.
