Speculation: 2024-2025 General Discussion III: Combined goals by Luke and Zemgus: 3

[bov]

Ottawa looks like they'll be fighting for a spot until the bitter end, but Batherson would be a nice fit if they happen to tail off closer to the deadline.

 

[T REX]

Our success came when we could roll 4 lines and play playoff style heavy hockey.

This team is so far removed from that formula...JBB will need multiple miracle trades to get us out of the 2nd round.

Yeah yeah...only one month but the team is starting to look cooked and Vasy is playing much better.

Kuch will be tripled teamed again come playoff time and there's no help.

Maybe JBB can pull off another Jeannot trade.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

I hate the bottom six forwards lol


He fits our club well then

He would if he could pass, but he's not even good at that.

 

[Major4Boarding]

We SHOULD NOT trade Isaac Howard. Very open to moving Ethan Gauthier if the player(s) we acquire are above average offensive producers and fit.

There isn’t a Like big enough so I will quote it instead. Absolutely spot on!

 

[Point21]

Wonder what Toronto would want for Roberston

 

[creg]

So what's the plan then? Sell off everyone and go into a rebuild? Like I get the bitching, I bitch too. We all acknowledge there is a need to improve. But I can't figure out what you want? Its like you are talking out both sides of your mouth, where you don't want to take any swings, but don't want to bin it and rebuild, you don't want to give up assets to push right now, but you want to improve? Like what window are you looking at here? Just saying it comes off more like bitching for the sake of bitching.

This is what frustrates me when discussing the team - yes there are inherent holes in our roster but we're not missing centers, top 4D, a goaltender, - we're missing bottom 6 wingers which will be plentiful come deadline. Like we're so close to being a great team and our needs aren't even that drastic.

Shoot at league average and get some scoring depth and we'll look like a top team in our division with how everyone is playing. Anyone suggesting selling is probably worth ignoring considering a single look at our contract situation would reveal that we have nothing of value to sell other than assets that would signal a full rebuild which isn't happening.

 

[Major4Boarding]

A lot of talk about Vancouver as a partner but I haven’t seen any discussion on Conor Garland. I’d much prefer him over Boeser.

I’m may be alone in this but I have Ike slotted as our 2RW when he’s full on in his role. So, to me, I would like to see a move that perhaps nabs a RW on a 1-2 year deal after this season as placeholder for Howard.

I would love to see, or at least believe, that Howard can slot right in after he’s done at MSU. I think what he’s going to be to told is he’ll spend time in Syracuse but be on the shortlist for call ups here.

And I’m not coming off of my stance on snagging Bjugstad as our 3C. Be it trade (with the intent to sign extension) or this summer as a UFA

A third line that has BDN on LW - Another Nick at Center - and Geekie on the RW wouldn’t trouble me. Just my thoughts.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I'll say it again in case others missed my previous posts, but I'm 100% onboard with trading Chaffee if a deal of value is there. He's just not productive enough nor gritty enough to be in our lineup in meaningful games. Anyone who watched the Panthers series where he was completely outmatched playing 3rd line minutes for us knows this deep down.

A lot of talk about Vancouver as a partner but I haven’t seen any discussion on Conor Garland. I’d much prefer him over Boeser.

I’m may be alone in this but I have Ike slotted as our 2RW when he’s full on in his role. So, to me, I would like to see a move that perhaps nabs a RW on a 1-2 year deal after this season as placeholder for Howard.

I would love to see, or at least believe, that Howard can slot right in after he’s done at MSU. I think what he’s going to be to told is he’ll spend time in Syracuse but be on the shortlist for call ups here.

And I’m not coming off of my stance on snagging Bjugstad as our 3C. Be it trade (with the intent to sign extension) or this summer as a UFA

A third line that has BDN on LW - Another Nick at Center - and Geekie on the RW wouldn’t trouble me. Just my thoughts.

If Howard is smart, he'll tell BriseBois to be guaranteed a few NHL games to end the season and then however those go, then we'll see where he plays. Would be dumb for a player of his value and skill to just willingly sign his ELC & be sent to Syracuse when he can play the leverage game here.

 

[bov]

If Howard is smart, he'll tell BriseBois to be guaranteed a few NHL games to end the season and then however those go, then we'll see where he plays. Would be dumb for a player of his value and skill to just willingly sign his ELC & be sent to Syracuse when he can play the leverage game here.

He'll get shipped at the deadline playing games like that.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

He'll get shipped at the deadline playing games like that.

NCAA players do this every year & get signed lol

 

[bov]

NCAA players do this every year & get signed lol

Both sides already know the situation. There's no need for Howard to make any demands, keep playing the way he's playing and things will probably work out. You're not going to "leverage" a guy like BriseBois in situations like this

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Both sides already know the situation. There's no need for Howard to make any demands, keep playing the way he's playing and things will probably work out. You're not going to "leverage" a guy like BriseBois in situations like this

Howard would not be happy to be sent to the A after being signed, knowing that the Lightning's scoring depth after the top 5 forwards is putrid, knowing he could help contribute or at least get the chance to contribute.

 

[Soul Assumption]

I'm 100% onboard with trading Chaffee if a deal of value is there.

His value is like 4th round at best.

 

[bov]

Howard would not be happy to be sent to the A after being signed, knowing that the Lightning's scoring depth after the top 5 forwards is putrid, knowing he could help contribute or at least get the chance to contribute.

What makes you think he won't get a chance to contribute? My only point is that there's no need for him to be making any kind of demands.

 

[Ducati Boy]

This is what frustrates me when discussing the team - yes there are inherent holes in our roster but we're not missing centers, top 4D, a goaltender, - we're missing bottom 6 wingers which will be plentiful come deadline. Like we're so close to being a great team and our needs aren't even that drastic.

Shoot at league average and get some scoring depth and we'll look like a top team in our division with how everyone is playing. Anyone suggesting selling is probably worth ignoring considering a single look at our contract situation would reveal that we have nothing of value to sell other than assets that would signal a full rebuild which isn't happening.

I’m in this camp. Despite our losses recently we’ve actually outplayed each team we lost to and the goaltending has been ok to good. Seems to me that our doldrums should be unsustainable.

It’s been the unexplainable drop off in finding the back of the net, using our sticks as magic wands to recreate Dominik Vezina, having goal posts that look a foot wide.

And, um yeah (chimes in with obligatory bottom six scoring take).

 

[Hockeyville USA]

What makes you think he won't get a chance to contribute? My only point is that there's no need for him to be making any kind of demands.

Howard wants to be playing in the league in Tampa, not riding the bus from Syracuse to Utica to Bridgeport, etc. That's the point lmao, this is really simple. If Howard doesn't state his wants, he could just be manipulated to sign and then prompted assigned to Syracuse. Leverage battle

 

[bov]

Howard wants to be playing in the league in Tampa, not riding the bus from Syracuse to Utica to Bridgeport, etc. That's the point lmao, this is really simple. If Howard doesn't state his wants, he could just be manipulated to sign and then prompted assigned to Syracuse. Leverage battle

Of course he wants to play in Tampa, all of this goes without saying. He doesn't need to state anything, both parties know what's going on already. Trying to create some leverage "battle" is completely needless.

JBB: "Oh gee, you want to play in the NHL? Really forcing my hand here..."

There is no indication whatsoever that Howard wouldn't be given a chance if he looks like he can step into the big league. You're creating something out of nothing.

 

[Soul Assumption]

he could just be manipulated to sign and then prompted assigned to Syracuse.

Geekie plays for Tampa, half the team is borderline AHLers, why would Howard play for Syracuse? It doesn't make sense. After signing he will play for the main team, that goes without saying, he doesn't need to demand it

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Geekie plays for Tampa, half the team is borderline AHLers, why would Howard play for Syracuse? It doesn't make sense. After signing he will play for the main team, that goes without saying, he doesn't need to demand it

There's a bunch of Lightning media members who aren't convinced Howard will start in Tampa to end the season

 

[DFC]

I think people are jumping the gun assessing Howard's immediate impact. He's not as good a prospect as Geekie, and Geekie has like 15 points.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I think people are jumping the gun assessing Howard's immediate impact. He's not as good a prospect as Geekie, and Geekie has like 15 points.

Lol during the leadup to the 2022 Draft, most had Howard and Geekie ranked about equally, with many having Howard ahead of Geekie. Just because Geekie put up big numbers in the Dub doesn't mean he's automatically better. Howard fits in better on a Hagel-Cirelli line because he's always been an elite complimentary player back to his NTDP days when he was with Cooley, Hutson, Casey, Gauthier, etc.

 

[Soul Assumption]

I think people are jumping the gun assessing Howard's immediate impact. He's not as good a prospect as Geekie, and Geekie has like 15 points.

He doesn't need to make an "immediate impact", he just needs to be no worse than Eyssimont, Atkinson, Goncalves, Girgenson, which, let's be honest, is not a very high bar.
And i don't think he's a worse prospect. The fact that he was drafted lower means nothing. Actually i think he'll be even better. Second line winger, when Geekie are more of a third line center/winger.

 

[bov]

It's a good problem to have when we're debating blue chip prospects, but Howard has never played a pro game and despite multiple camps with TB, didn't appear to be as impactful or ready as Geekie this past fall. I view the latter as being the better prospect with more upside, and I think he would be just as dominant in the Big 10 as Howard is now, if not more so.

Howard might be a bit fresher in a couple months, but if he's getting NHL minutes they'll be heavily sheltered. People need to pump the brakes on this guy.

 

[Rschmitz]

Howard has a good shot at winning the Hobey Baker this year. Last forward to win was Celebrini, before that was Fantilli, before that was Caufield.

I think coming from the NCAA and not the CHL, there is certainly an argument to be made that him coming in and being an immediate difference maker isn't beyond the realm of possibility. At the very least, an upgrade in our bottom 6, which is the only expectation I have.

 

[DistantThunderRep]

A lot of talk about Vancouver as a partner but I haven’t seen any discussion on Conor Garland. I’d much prefer him over Boeser.

I’m may be alone in this but I have Ike slotted as our 2RW when he’s full on in his role. So, to me, I would like to see a move that perhaps nabs a RW on a 1-2 year deal after this season as placeholder for Howard.

I would love to see, or at least believe, that Howard can slot right in after he’s done at MSU. I think what he’s going to be to told is he’ll spend time in Syracuse but be on the shortlist for call ups here.

And I’m not coming off of my stance on snagging Bjugstad as our 3C. Be it trade (with the intent to sign extension) or this summer as a UFA

A third line that has BDN on LW - Another Nick at Center - and Geekie on the RW wouldn’t trouble me. Just my thoughts.

Garland is a better Chaffee. No reason to give up more assets for him unless Chaffee moves in the trade. Garland produces best with a good playmaker. He's not going to get that one second or third line. But a line with Hagel, Cirelli, and Garland would seriously grind down lines.