Speculation: 2024-2025 General Lightning Discussion II

[Rschmitz]

I admit that I am very high on Crozier and he is unproven—if not for the NTC, I’d be willing to let Cernak go and see what Crozier could do, while trying to fix the atrocious bottom/middle six.

In the event Crozier doesn’t hold up— look for RD at the TDL. It’s all a moot point, though.

Looks like you understand how unwise it would be to trust Crozier to fill a top 4 role with only a handfull of NHL games played. The concept of trading Cernak by itself does make sense due to his injury history, but it would need to be in the offseason when reconstructing the roster becomes easier.

 

[JoVel]

I think he has a full ntc

No one knows since Capfriendly is gone. Well, maybe JBB has to ask the Capitals if he gave him one or not.

 

[Rschmitz]

No one knows since Capfriendly is gone. Well, maybe JBB has to ask the Capitals if he gave him one or not.

https://puckpedia.com/player/erik-cernak

 

[Felonious Python]

An NHL source close to the situation has confirmed to RG that everyone on the current roster - except captain Sidney Crosby, longtime alternate captain Evgeni Malkin, veteran forward Bryan Rust, forward Philip Tomasino, and defenseman Owen Pickering - is available for the right price before the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline.

“Sid, Malkin, Rust, and the two kids, Tomasino and Pickering, they’re off limits for now, but everything else can be had for the right price,” the source said.

When asked to clarify that longtime Penguins defenseman Kris Letang wasn’t on that list, the source replied:

“I don’t know right now.”

 

[aylib]

Someone like Bunting would be a great addition to our mid six

 

[Zwui21]

Hagel - Cirelli - Rakell would be a nightmare to play against. But he's 31 already, better to add some younger blood.

 

[JTBF81]

They don't have the depth yet on the right side to move Cernak. Injury prone or not, he's still the best physical, defensive dman they have on the right. Between the lack of depth and his ntc, I doubt he's moved for at least a couple of years, if at all during the window.

 

[bov]

Someone like Bunting would be a great addition to our mid six

Please God no.

 

[Rschmitz]

I'd be interested in Rakell and Bunting depending on cost.

 

[bov]

Don't want a diver who starts shit and never fights his own battles. I can at least understand the fit, but bring in someone who actually can garner some respect on the ice and is formidable. Enough of these guys, it's like some of you people want to see this team get slapped around.

 

[Game suspension]

So does anyone else really understand the Chaffee on PP1 move ? At best it seems like wishful thinking.

 

[These Are The Days]

So does anyone else really understand the Chaffee on PP1 move ? At best it seems like wishful thinking.

We literally have 4 right handed forwards. Its him Glendening or Atkinson

 

[Game suspension]

We literally have 4 right handed forwards. Its him Glendening or Atkinson

Can't say I have ever thought that would be even considered a criteria for PP1 lol.

Somebody in sticking his neck out on the kid that's for sure considering his lack of track record. Take advantage of that chance kid. And soon.

 

[JTBF81]

I guess if Tampa wanted to make a big splash, and since it sounds like the Pens may be open to offers on most of their guys, perhaps some kind of bigger deal could occur to acquire Rakell+Pettersson. It would take quite a bit, but it would address two issues. The cap might not work for this season without other moves to clear some salary, but if not both then Rakell at least should be on a short list for them.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

Howard will get a look to end the season, no doubt in my mind

 

[JTBF81]

If they decide to keep rolling Geekie as 3C, it would be nice to get him some better wingers who can finish more consistently. The Hagel-Cirelli-Paul line will likely end up as the "shutdown" line (that can still be quite effective offensively), but a more productive 3rd line would also make the team harder to matchup against. Looking at the teams who are more likely to be sellers at this point, any of Donato, Evangelista, O'Connor, Kunin,, Strome, Wennberg, Gourde are some names that Tampa might consider looking into to either center the 3rd line or work with Geekie on it. If Tampa went this way, they could in theory have enough room for a better add on defense, depending on who they're looking at, retention, sending salary back etc.

 

[LTIR Trickery]

Looks like you understand how unwise it would be to trust Crozier to fill a top 4 role with only a handfull of NHL games played. The concept of trading Cernak by itself does make sense due to his injury history, but it would need to be in the offseason when reconstructing the roster becomes easier.

I just can't imagine who you could find at his cost or cheaper who can do his job exactly, or his job plus puck moving (i.e. something better).

Someone like Bunting would be a great addition to our mid six

I don't think he'd survive the first few hours in the locker room

I'd be interested in Rakell and Bunting depending on cost.

Rakell, absolutely.

 

[JTBF81]

Howard will get a look to end the season, no doubt in my mind

I hope so. They could try him out on the 2nd line with Hagel and Cirelli maybe, or even with Point-Kuch for a bit. I don't know if he'll be that effective in the bottom 6, but perhaps with Paul and Geekie it could work.

 

[Hockeyville USA]

I hope so. They could try him out on the 2nd line with Hagel and Cirelli maybe, or even with Point-Kuch for a bit. I don't know if he'll be that effective in the bottom 6, but perhaps with Paul and Geekie it could work.

Howard-Point-Kucherov would be a DISASTERCLASS in the defensive zone, so I hope they don't try that. Howard-Cirelli-Hagel would be great in that Howard would have 2 insulators to help him out defensively while still giving him well above average producers to work with in the offensive zone

 

[creg]

I feel like there's a lot of push/pull with Howard - like obviously he's a part of our future, but can we really count on a guy who has yet to play a single game in the nhl to bring scoring to our bottom 6 in the playoffs?

I'm sure he'll get games and he definitely deserves them with the season he's having, but I would hope we would go into the post season (and into the TDL) with him slotted as a 13th F rather than on one of our 1st-3rd lines.

 

[JTBF81]

I feel like there's a lot of push/pull with Howard - like obviously he's a part of our future, but can we really count on a guy who has yet to play a single game in the nhl to bring scoring to our bottom 6 in the playoffs?

I'm sure he'll get games and he definitely deserves them with the season he's having, but I would hope we would go into the post season (and into the TDL) with him slotted as a 13th F rather than on one of our 1st-3rd lines.

He's wasted on the team in a 4th line/13th F situation imo. If he signs with Tampa right after the Spartans season is over, he either needs to get bigger minutes and play with talented linemates, preferably in the top 6 (or maybe some shuffling between the 2nd and 3rd lines), or not at all.

 

[Renopucker]

Who goes out when Cernak AND Moser are back? I have my thoughts, but I'd like to hear what the board thinks. And secondly, whoever goes would be part of a package to get a Rakell/Bjornstrand type?

 

[Rschmitz]

I just can't imagine who you could find at his cost or cheaper who can do his job exactly, or his job plus puck moving (i.e. something better).

Talking about Cernak? I've always been a huge Cernak fan and still am, but there is no question that his health issues are a concern. We can't dismiss the idea of it happening.

Who goes out when Cernak AND Moser are back? I have my thoughts, but I'd like to hear what the board thinks. And secondly, whoever goes would be part of a package to get a Rakell/Bjornstrand type?

Perbix is the weakest link

 

[creg]

He's wasted on the team in a 4th line/13th F situation imo. If he signs with Tampa right after the Spartans season is over, he either needs to get bigger minutes and play with talented linemates, preferably in the top 6 (or maybe some shuffling between the 2nd and 3rd lines), or not at all.

I get that with his toolset that's where he should be, but we haven't seen him play an NHL game yet. I'm not saying we shouldn't give him a chance, but I wouldn't want to go into the playoffs with him playing a major role when he's just being introduced to the league. I'm just saying that I hope we address our depth scoring/2rw at the deadline instead of just hoping that a 20 year old can fill those really big holes.

Next season with a full pre-season/training, absolutely give him a chance in the top 6/9.

 

[Rschmitz]

I feel like there's a lot of push/pull with Howard - like obviously he's a part of our future, but can we really count on a guy who has yet to play a single game in the nhl to bring scoring to our bottom 6 in the playoffs?

I'm sure he'll get games and he definitely deserves them with the season he's having, but I would hope we would go into the post season (and into the TDL) with him slotted as a 13th F rather than on one of our 1st-3rd lines.

We can't, some forum-goers are just too enthusiastic about what to expect.