That and the fact JBB already has phone calls about him tells me all i need to know. Brisebois is probably brainstorming what he can net in return for Howard that would help us in an area of need. I doubt Howard signs, but even if he does, he's not a bolt going forward. We have 5 legit top 6 guys, Bjorkstrand as a wild card with us, and plenty of options capable of stepping up, including Geekie. I'd rather retool the bottom six and find a bottom pairing defenseman not named Lilleberg or Perbix and roll the dice again next year. Howard doesn't make or break this franchise.I'm gonna be shocked if Howard signs. He already told MSU he was coming back. Why would he change his mind now even if we did?
I'm gonna be shocked if Howard signs. He already told MSU he was coming back. Why would he change his mind now even if we did?
Also wonder if he gets a max ELC...
That would make the most sense. We can probably get something like a Yeager for McGroarty or Drouin for Sergachev caliber trade or simply trade back into the 1st roundGuessing the bridge is completely burned at this point. Trade at the draft?
The problem is you're trading Howard below market value due to the impasse becoming public. The Lightning would likely only be able to get someone like Del Mastro and a 2nd, or Wallinder/Buium & a 2nd. You'd have to find someone who is as desperate as BriseBois to really get more value.JBB should see about whether Chicago or Detroit would be interested in a trade involving Howard and one of their multiple, talented young dmen.
From my brain to your keyboardThree things can be true...
1. Howard is a good prospect and will produce somewhere, if not here.
2. JBB doesn't see him burning a year of his ELC in the cores waning years and wants to maximize every dollar, thus, Howard isn't getting it or any special treatment because JBB will just sign someone or trade for someone without batting an eye. In short, he's expendable.
3. Girgensons sucks, we cannot forget this.
Our top six is pretty set. People were extremely high on Dorkstrand but he plays more like a middle winger than a top 6 winger. I'd actually prefer him as a scoring winger on the 3rd. If Geekie fills that gap, where is Howard chilling? 3rd or 4th line? Do we move 9M Guentzel down? Hagel? My point is, I don't think Brisebois is too bothered given the depth at wing we have right now.
I really wanted to see Howard play for us. Though, character does matter when it comes to GM/HC/Ops... so if Howard brought a draft day frat boy type ego wanting NHL time, I could see that being a bit problematic for the most successful franchise in the last dozen years. The team doesn't get supplanted by any individual. If they moved on from Stamkos, they sure as shit won't lose an ounce of sleep trading 0 GP Isaac Howard to another franchise. Again, id like to see him play for us but I don't get the feeling he's going to at this point.
I'd think Detroit. Howard would probably sign there, and they aren't quite as loaded at forward as CHI are becoming.JBB should see about whether Chicago or Detroit would be interested in a trade involving Howard and one of their multiple, talented young dmen.
Wonder if Minnesota would be a fit at all. Howard is from Hudson Wisconsin, 15 minutes from the X in St Paul. The Wild need scoring help moving forwardI'd think Detroit. Howard would probably sign there, and they aren't quite as loaded at forward as CHI are becoming.
I know I'd rather send him out of division or conference right now. If he goes to Minnesota, I don't even have to think about him.Wonder if Minnesota would be a fit at all. Howard is from Hudson Wisconsin, 15 minutes from the X in St Paul. The Wild need scoring help moving forward
Either of those packages would be fair value. Additionally, Korchinski, Johansson, and maybe Allen could be other options, with picks added as needed on either side, that JBB could look at going after.The problem is you're trading Howard below market value due to the impasse becoming public. The Lightning would likely only be able to get someone like Del Mastro and a 2nd, or Wallinder/Buium & a 2nd. You'd have to find someone who is as desperate as BriseBois to really get more value.
I wouldn't want Korchinski. Not ready to play big NHL minutes. Allan and Johansson are fineEither of those packages would be fair value. Additionally, Korchinski, Johansson, and maybe Allen could be other options, with picks added as needed on either side, that JBB could look at going after.
Neither is Howard.I wouldn't want Korchinski. Not ready to play big NHL minutes. Allan and Johansson are fine
We don't know that until we see that. I've watched plenty of Korchinski, he's ass in the NHLNeither is Howard.
Korchinski has a high ceiling, but if they want someone for next year, then one of EDM, Johansson, Allen might be better. I doubt Chicago moves him, but I'd at least ask about Rinzel as well.I wouldn't want Korchinski. Not ready to play big NHL minutes. Allan and Johansson are fine
Korchinski can't defend, and his offensive upside is nowhere close to good enough at present moment. Sergachev came in as a 19 year old and was ready. Korchinski was rushed to the league coming out of junior and it's stunted his development significantly.Korchinski has a high ceiling, but if they want someone for next year, then one of EDM, Johansson, Allen might be better. I doubt Chicago moves him, but I'd at least ask about Rinzel as well.
While true, I think Brisebois (and the proverbial ship that sailed) sees that hole as easily filled by Bjorkstrand, Gourde, Paul, Chaffee, Geekie or whoever else becomes a bolt by the fall. That may or may not be approved by the fans, but he's probably looking to bolster the blueline or a decent middle six option that fits the mold the other 5 do.For the record, and almost useless now as he's most likely gone, but...
I know all the data sites list him as a left winger, and (on faceoffs) he even lined up as a left winger @ MSU - but he's a right winger.
He carries the play as a RW, finds his holes in the offensive zone on the right side, and even a majority of his highlight reels show him scoring from the middle-towards the near boards.
So if the original thought was he's blocked on the top 6 LW because of Hagel and Jake, that's correct. But he certainly aint taking Kuch's spot but that 2nd line RW spot would have been debatable
Korchinski has a high ceiling, but if they want someone for next year, then one of EDM, Johansson, Allen might be better. I doubt Chicago moves him, but I'd at least ask about Rinzel as well.