21/22 Roster Speculation Thread Part VIII

[Old Navy Goat]

I pulled this from the GBU thread.


I think having a healthy Mitts helps this enormously. Hopefully we have one soon and for the rest of these season.

A healthy Mitts and Girgs would let Granato bench Eakin and run a 'heavy' line of Girgs - Cozens - Okposo

 

[Chainshot]

I pulled this from the GBU thread.


I think having a healthy Mitts helps this enormously. Hopefully we have one soon and for the rest of these season.

If they start getting healthy... does he draw in on a lower line with fewer minutes until he can show he's 100-ish percent? They could shuffle Eakin off into a field somewhere beside the highway with a hand-painted sign for "Joe Dirt 2, the Crimson Ninja" pointing to him for that GM that really, really needs that faceoff guy.

A healthy Mitts and Girgs would let Granato bench Eakin and run a 'heavy' line of Girgs - Cozens - Okposo

It would be interesting if they had a line that finished checks and cycled again. If (the elusive if) they got healthy... something like:

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Mittelstadt-Cozens-Quinn
Asplund-Krebs-Olofsson
Girgensons-Jankowski-Okposo

The third line gets the Roy-line role.

 

[tsujimoto74]

If they start getting healthy... does he draw in on a lower line with fewer minutes until he can show he's 100-ish percent? They could shuffle Eakin off into a field somewhere beside the highway with a hand-painted sign for "Joe Dirt 2, the Crimson Ninja" pointing to him for that GM that really, really needs that faceoff guy.



It would be interesting if they had a line that finished checks and cycled again. If (the elusive if) they got healthy... something like:

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch
Mittelstadt-Cozens-Quinn
Asplund-Krebs-Olofsson
Girgensons-Jankowski-Okposo

The third line gets the Roy-line role.

Can they get healthy and also call Peterka up again? This is what I want to see, with everyone healthy:

Skinner-Krebs/Mitts-Tuch
Mitts/Krebs-Thompson-Olofsson
Quinn-Cozens-Peterka
Girgs-anyone but Eakin-Okposo

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Overpaid second liner does not equate to trash. I mean come on. Nevermind that he’s a top line winger at the moment.

At the moment doesn’t mean he’ll be that next year. I’ll give you trash is probably an overstatement, but I will vehemently say he’ll never be worth $9M a year every year of his contract. Some years it’ll be 1 or 2 million overpaid, others it’ll be 5 or 6 million overpaid. And I hope I’m wrong every year.

To call a 20 goal guy this far through the season trash really questions your judgement. Sorry but it's a really dumb statement.

It’s really not if you pay attention to his scoring. I get being offended by it, but I’m not saying something wild and crazy here. He’s overpaid. There’s nothing wrong with saying that. He’s three years into his contract and this is the first year he’s scored 20 goals. That’s a trash contract.

 

[Matt Ress]

At the moment doesn’t mean he’ll be that next year. I’ll give you trash is probably an overstatement, but I will vehemently say he’ll never be worth $9M a year every year of his contract. Some years it’ll be 1 or 2 million overpaid, others it’ll be 5 or 6 million overpaid. And I hope I’m wrong every year.




It’s really not if you pay attention to his scoring. I get being offended by it, but I’m not saying something wild and crazy here. He’s overpaid. There’s nothing wrong with saying that. He’s three years into his contract and this is the first year he’s scored 20 goals. That’s a trash contract.

I'm someone that wanted Skinner buried on the 4th or on the bench. He was a puck cemetery at times and really weighed down lines of good young players. And that's just this season.
But, he's obviously in a good place now and although he may never live up to his contract, he may also be a pivotal piece in the team's long term success. But yeah, the contract sucks.

 

[Matt Ress]

How about swapping a Bryson plus for the Kings Helge Grans. What needs to be added? A 2nd or two

 

[Jim Bob]

How about swapping a Bryson plus for the Kings Helge Grans. What needs to be added? A 2nd or two

LA and Carolina are two interesting potential trade partners given their prospect depth at RHD.

LA has Clarke, Grans, Spence, and Faber coming through the pipeline and they all look like they have NHL potential.

Carolina has Keane that looks like he is blocked right now and RHD on their reserve list like Morrow and Nystrom.

 

[My Cozen Dylan]

How about swapping a Bryson plus for the Kings Helge Grans. What needs to be added? A 2nd or two

That would cost Ryan Johnson, not Jacob Bryson. And I think it's a great idea.

 

[TehDoak]

I'm all for going after some RHD prospects. But the immediate need is for RHD is guys who can step in.

I think most people will agree Joker isn't, at this point, a top pairing RHD.

So, the need is:

Top pairing RHD
Bottom 4 RHD

The bottom 4 RHD you can likely find via UFA or internally in Fitzgerald or signing Pysyk., so the real need is the top pairing RHD to play with Dahlin

 

[TehDoak]

I pulled this from the GBU thread.


I think having a healthy Mitts helps this enormously. Hopefully we have one soon and for the rest of these season.

I'd like to see Mitts because I think he's still largely an unknown. He might actually be an odd man out next year, if you assume

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch as your top line

If Buffalo adds a middle 6 center/winger this summer, then you have:

New acquisition, Asplund, Krebs, Quinn, Cozens, Olofsson as your middle 6.

I hope he stays healthy as he solidifies the top 9 and gives us more options this summer.

 

[Chainshot]

I'd like to see Mitts because I think he's still largely an unknown. He might actually be an odd man out next year, if you assume

Skinner-Thompson-Tuch as your top line

If Buffalo adds a middle 6 center/winger this summer, then you have:

New acquisition, Asplund, Krebs, Quinn, Cozens, Olofsson as your middle 6.

I hope he stays healthy as he solidifies the top 9 and gives us more options this summer.

A healthy Mittelstadt displaces Asplund easily in that scenario.

 

[Fezzy126]

I don't need to break up a productive line 1st line, but I'm still not convinced that Tage brings a complimentary element to that line:

Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	GP	TOI	CF%	GF%	xGF%
Tage Thompson	Alex Tuch	Jeff Skinner	10	89.78	52.66	64.29	58.97
w/o Tage Thompson	Alex Tuch	Jeff Skinner	13	48.13	54.24	85.71	53.8

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I'm still all about reuniting the 70s line moving forward:

Skinner-Krebs-Tuch
Quinn-Mitts-Cozens
Asplund-Tage-Olofsson
Peterka-Girgs-Okposo

I really, really want Cozens playing in the middle, but these are the lines that I continually default to if everyone ever gets healthy.

Edit: I'll just add one thing - If I only watched Krebs' passes to Tuch on the power play this season, I'd assume those two have the greatest on-ice chemistry since Lafontaine-Mogilny. Hence why I put Krebs between Skinner & Tuch.

 

[TehDoak]

A healthy Mittelstadt displaces Asplund easily in that scenario.

I think that falls under "we don't know"

Casey Mittelstadt Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

Rasmus Asplund Stats | Hockey-Reference.com

I think in a pure "on paper" comparison, You'd go with Mittelstadt.

Is Mittelstadt going to play center or wing? We really saw Mittelstadt do well last year when he was given a ton of O-zone starts and had no defensive responsibility. Can he succeed in a lessor role? There's just a lot about Mittelstadt we don't know yet because his injuries and an already limited sample size of him being productive.

 

[Chainshot]

I don't need to break up a productive line 1st line, but I'm still not convinced that Tage brings a complimentary element to that line:

Player 1	Player 2	Player 3	GP	TOI	CF%	GF%	xGF%
Tage Thompson	Alex Tuch	Jeff Skinner	10	89.78	52.66	64.29	58.97
w/o Tage Thompson	Alex Tuch	Jeff Skinner	13	48.13	54.24	85.71	53.8

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

I'm still all about reuniting the 70s line moving forward:

Skinner-Krebs-Tuch
Quinn-Mitts-Cozens
Asplund-Tage-Olofsson
Peterka-Girgs-Okposo

I really, really want Cozens playing in the middle, but these are the lines that I continually default to if everyone ever gets healthy.

Edit: I'll just add one thing - If I only watched Krebs' passes to Tuch on the power play this season, I'd assume those two have the greatest on-ice chemistry since Lafontaine-Mogilny. Hence why I put Krebs between Skinner & Tuch.

I still think there are players on this team who are surprised at how Krebs delivers the puck, even Tuch.

Asplund brings up Thompson's defensive game. Thompson brings up Asplund's scoring.

Mittelstadt and Cozens both can play center, both can play wing. Quinn can play either wing. That line is versatile - it could be very interesting since all of them are plus skaters.

 

[Fezzy126]

I still think there are players on this team who are surprised at how Krebs delivers the puck, even Tuch.

Asplund brings up Thompson's defensive game. Thompson brings up Asplund's scoring.

Mittelstadt and Cozens both can play center, both can play wing. Quinn can play either wing. That line is versatile - it could be very interesting since all of them are plus skaters.

That pass the other day, I mean, just wow:



Credit to Tuch for having his stick on the ice as he's been coached to do his whole life, but he definitely took a second to comprehend what just happened.

 

[Der Jaeger]

Skinner-Krebs-Tuch
Quinn-Mitts-Cozens
Asplund-Tage-Olofsson
Peterka-Girgs-Okposo

This is almost the exact forward group I'd like to see next year. I'd re-sign Hinostroza, and Janikowski to give the team depth.

I want Cozens on the wing. I get the idea of having a big, fast center, but his size and speed are best used on the wing.

Quinn at LW is a good call. I think that's his position. Agree with Krebs as well. Let Peterka work his way up, and if he's not ready, bring Ruotsalainen up.

I am not in favor or signing a big gun at forward. I think this group has the potential to grow and get a lot better (see Detroit as the case-in-point). I'd add a RHD via trade or free agency, and re-sign Pysyk.

If I'm spending this off-season, it's for a goaltender.

 

[Chainshot]

This is almost the exact forward group I'd like to see next year. I'd re-sign Hinostroza, and Janikowski to give the team depth.

I want Cozens on the wing. I get the idea of having a big, fast center, but his size and speed are best used on the wing.

Quinn at LW is a good call. I think that's his position. Agree with Krebs as well. Let Peterka work his way up, and if he's not ready, bring Ruotsalainen up.

I am not in favor or signing a big gun at forward. I think this group has the potential to grow and get a lot better (see Detroit as the case-in-point). I'd add a RHD via trade or free agency, and re-sign Pysyk.

If I'm spending this off-season, it's for a goaltender.

Agreed. Find improvements to defense via trade in the window between the end of the season and the start of free agency. Find a goaltender in free agency after showing the team has improved (record down the stretch and then d-moves up to the start of free agency).

 

[Dirty Dog]

Great posts.

and I agree, our 12 forwards are pretty set: krebs, mitts, Cozens, Thompson, tuch, olofsson, Quinn, peterka, Girgs, asplund, okposo, and Skinner.

for goalie, we have one set: 6k.

for defense, we have have four set: dahlin, power, Samuelsson, and joker (Bryson is a question mark).

so yea, one goalie and two top four D are our big needs

 

[ValJamesDuex]

This is almost the exact forward group I'd like to see next year. I'd re-sign Hinostroza, and Janikowski to give the team depth.

I want Cozens on the wing. I get the idea of having a big, fast center, but his size and speed are best used on the wing.

Quinn at LW is a good call. I think that's his position. Agree with Krebs as well. Let Peterka work his way up, and if he's not ready, bring Ruotsalainen up.

I am not in favor or signing a big gun at forward. I think this group has the potential to grow and get a lot better (see Detroit as the case-in-point). I'd add a RHD via trade or free agency, and re-sign Pysyk.

If I'm spending this off-season, it's for a goaltender.

I like this. Add a experienced FA RD as well as a QUALITY G1B. Use the draft to stock C and RD.

Keep an eye on Biro's development.

 

[Team Cozens]

Can they get healthy and also call Peterka up again? This is what I want to see, with everyone healthy:

Skinner-Krebs/Mitts-Tuch
Mitts/Krebs-Thompson-Olofsson
Quinn-Cozens-Peterka
Girgs-anyone but Eakin-Okposo

I would also like to see Vinny back next year. Loved his speed forcing the other teams.

 

[Team Cozens]

This is almost the exact forward group I'd like to see next year. I'd re-sign Hinostroza, and Janikowski to give the team depth.

I want Cozens on the wing. I get the idea of having a big, fast center, but his size and speed are best used on the wing.

Quinn at LW is a good call. I think that's his position. Agree with Krebs as well. Let Peterka work his way up, and if he's not ready, bring Ruotsalainen up.

I am not in favor or signing a big gun at forward. I think this group has the potential to grow and get a lot better (see Detroit as the case-in-point). I'd add a RHD via trade or free agency, and re-sign Pysyk.

If I'm spending this off-season, it's for a goaltender.

Carey Price in the off season? Assuming he is in the right place and comes back. Huge contract that we can handle, most teams can't.

 

[Jim Bob]

I'm all for going after some RHD prospects. But the immediate need is for RHD is guys who can step in.

I think most people will agree Joker isn't, at this point, a top pairing RHD.

So, the need is:

Top pairing RHD
Bottom 4 RHD

The bottom 4 RHD you can likely find via UFA or internally in Fitzgerald or signing Pysyk., so the real need is the top pairing RHD to play with Dahlin

Finding a vet top pairing RHD that will work well with Dahlin or Power that you can plug & play in the lineup next season is going to be easier said than done.

 

[UnleashRasmus]

This is almost the exact forward group I'd like to see next year. I'd re-sign Hinostroza, and Janikowski to give the team depth.

I want Cozens on the wing. I get the idea of having a big, fast center, but his size and speed are best used on the wing.

Quinn at LW is a good call. I think that's his position. Agree with Krebs as well. Let Peterka work his way up, and if he's not ready, bring Ruotsalainen up.

I am not in favor or signing a big gun at forward. I think this group has the potential to grow and get a lot better (see Detroit as the case-in-point). I'd add a RHD via trade or free agency, and re-sign Pysyk.

If I'm spending this off-season, it's for a goaltender.

Agree with all of this. I'd add depth talent. Or someone who hasn't worked their way into a line up who is in their 20's. I'd definitely move Bjork if I could also. He doesn't seem to have a fit here long term.

 

[Nikolajs Sillers]

Can they get healthy and also call Peterka up again? This is what I want to see, with everyone healthy:

Skinner-Krebs/Mitts-Tuch
Mitts/Krebs-Thompson-Olofsson
Quinn-Cozens-Peterka
Girgs-anyone but Eakin-Okposo

That looks like next years line up.

 

[Zman5778]

for defense, we have have four set: dahlin, power, Samuelsson, and joker (Bryson is a question mark).

I've got no issue using a somewhat-established Bryson and a pick to go get that RHD we need.