Speculation: Armchair GM - Offseason Thread (Summer Edition)

[Marioesque]

I disagree that we have a complete lack of depth at defense.

Me too. It's deep now and in a year or two we will have to trade away D talent because the roster is stacked.

 

[stevo61]

With what money? That would be nice but that seems like a lot.

All of a sudden Werenski, Severson and Gaudreau are absolute steals and if that's the case we need to take a risk and get KJ/Jiricek locked up long term ASAP

The players have paid their escrow debt. Thats what was keeping the cap from going up.

 

[thebus88]

I disagree that we have a complete lack of depth at defense.

I felt that way before we acquired Severson and Provorov.

With just 1 of them I would probably still feel that way and is the reason I have no problem that Jarmo went out and got 2 “proven” players.

 

[Marioesque]

I felt that way before we acquired Severson and Provorov.

With just 1 of them I would probably still feel that way and is the reason I have no problem that Jarmo went out and got 2 “proven” players.

Yeah it was thin before those two. Now we have depth , maybe too much pretty soon but that can be turned into assets

Jiricek, Mateychuk, Svozil.. there's a lot of top4 pairing players coming up.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

We don’t have a lot of “proven” depth on D. Jiricek, Svozil, and Ceulemens are all nice but they’re very green and probably shouldn’t be the first guys called up unless proven otherwise.

As far as I know we don’t have a Scott Harrington or a Gavin Bayreuther, a veteran minor leaguer with a nice chunk of NHL games, who we can call up if injuries strike. Usually like to have at least one of those.

Have no issues with us getting Severson. I don’t love 8 years but you were essentially signing a UFA. I don’t love trading a first rounder for Provorov with what seems to be a short term marriage, but we desperately need a top 4 LD. I’m tired of sucking. It was time to take a step forward. Management wasn’t reckless but they were aggressive. The future is still in tact, the salary structure is good, and we still have our draft capital.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

With what money? That would be nice but that seems like a lot.

TV contract and paying off escrow from COVID. It’s going to go up a lot

 

[Marioesque]

We don’t have a lot of “proven” depth on D. Jiricek, Svozil, and Ceulemens are all nice but they’re very green and probably shouldn’t be the first guys called up unless proven otherwise.

As far as I know we don’t have a Scott Harrington or a Gavin Bayreuther, a veteran minor leaguer with a nice chunk of NHL games, who we can call up if injuries strike. Usually like to have at least one of those.

Have no issues with us getting Severson. I don’t love 8 years but you were essentially signing a UFA. I don’t love trading a first rounder for Provorov with what seems to be a short term marriage, but we desperately need a top 4 LD. I’m tired of sucking. It was time to take a step forward. Management wasn’t reckless but they were aggressive. The future is still in tact, the salary structure is good, and we still have our draft capital.

Werenski, Provorov and Severson are all top 4 talent, top 2 in their situations. CBJ added 2 of top 4 and Zach hopefully adds more than 13 games. All of these guys play top2 minutes for an NHL team, now they just fill a top 4.

That's the proven depth. Boqvist is proven depth.

But yeah, the structure is really good. We'll be able to trade some of the D surplus to address immediate needs. This isn't a team shopping for more prospects, this is the core that will go for cup. And I like how the foundation is built. Goaltending is a mystery, but it can be addressed later on. With all the assets available, there's gonna be a deal to address other holes in the team.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Werenski, Provorov and Severson are all top 4 talent, top 2 in their situations. CBJ added 2 of top 4 and Zach hopefully adds more than 13 games. All of these guys play top2 minutes for an NHL team, now they just fill a top 4.

That's the proven depth. Boqvist is proven depth.

But yeah, the structure is really good. We'll be able to trade some of the D surplus to address immediate needs. This isn't a team shopping for more prospects, this is the core that will go for cup. And I like how the foundation is built. Goaltending is a mystery, but it can be addressed later on. With all the assets available, there's gonna be a deal to address other holes in the team.

I meant behind the NHL guys in case of injury. We have plenty of depth at the NHL level, it’s just behind them where it gets a bit dicey. It’s basically only the “extra” guy with real NHL experience.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

I meant behind the NHL guys in case of injury. We have plenty of depth at the NHL level, it’s just behind them where it gets a bit dicey. It’s basically only the “extra” guy with real NHL experience.

IMO the cupboards are full with new additions to D. How many teams carry proven NHL defensemen in the AHL with more upside than us? The only obvious question mark now is the goalie situation IMO.

 

[stevo61]

I meant behind the NHL guys in case of injury. We have plenty of depth at the NHL level, it’s just behind them where it gets a bit dicey. It’s basically only the “extra” guy with real NHL experience.

I think Christiansen fills Bayreuther's position in the organization. They dont have a guy like Harrington who can chill in the pressbox for weeks at a time but thats why Im glad NHL/AHL teams have started operating close together. We will also have Blankenburg in the AHL, call up depth is actually completely fine

 

[MAHJ71]

Fantilli Laine Blanks boys night out

 

[majormajor]

I think Christiansen fills Bayreuther's position in the organization. They dont have a guy like Harrington who can chill in the pressbox for weeks at a time but thats why Im glad NHL/AHL teams have started operating close together. We will also have Blankenburg in the AHL, call up depth is actually completely fine

Yeah and I'm bullish on Blanks, Christiansen, Berni (if he'll sign), Svozil, etc... And Marcus Bjork too, he was not worse than Harrington last year. We're fine. Those guys are a solid group for being the #8-#13 on the depth chart, not even counting Jiricek who might be ahead of all of them and push them down when he shows up to camp.

 

[Marioesque]

I meant behind the NHL guys in case of injury. We have plenty of depth at the NHL level, it’s just behind them where it gets a bit dicey. It’s basically only the “extra” guy with real NHL experience.

I am hard pressed finding a deeper D prospect pool. Jiricek, Mateychuk, Svozil, Ceulemans etc.

That's why I feel that is where we need to sell/trade for assets that help immediately. If it's a playoff run, we'll see someone moving for immediate help.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Honestly forgot about Christiansen and Bjork. Yeah we’re fine in depth

 

[VT]

Btw, who do you think will be an assistant along with Werenski? Gaudreau wasn't even in Calgary, Gudbranson is a third pair player, Kuraly is a fourth line player, and if I can still imagine Erik, I can't Kuraly. He's not Dubinsky.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Btw, who do you think will be an assistant along with Werenski? Gaudreau wasn't even in Calgary, Gudbranson is a third pair player, Kuraly is a fourth line player, and if I can still imagine Erik, I can't Kuraly. He's not Dubinsky.

I'd bet pretty hard its Kuraly. Or they do a Home/Away thing and do Kuraly and Gaudreau. But I'll just outright guess Kuraly gets it

 

[thebus88]

I don’t recall them ever playing together.

To be clear they've never been on the same club.

Definitely a mistake, not sure why but I did think they played together for some reason not really remembering Fantilli played just the 1 year. That said, their ages being so close together, both being Canadian and going to U of M, I’m sure there was definitely some “overlap” and familiarity there. It’s safe to say they have skated together before and Fantilli has probably had more interaction with KJ than any other CBJ player up until this point.

I’d say they both, Fantilli especially, speaks about each other interviews just as much as Babcock and the front office have spoken about Peeke, which apparently means a whole lot.

Roslovic has often started terribly but who knows under Babcock. He might be all over him. I also think Babs will love Danforth and might play him high up.

I think Babcock will hate Roslovic and love Danforth. IMO, when healthy, there’s no way Danforth should be out of the lineup and Kuraly/Roslovic or even Robinson should be in. And to be frank, I put Foudy in over all of them, at center or wing, and Babcock probably loves him also. The contracts/cap hits of Kuraly and Roslovic are brutal. Much worse than Gudbranson who actually brings something.

Gaudreau - Jenner - Fantilli/Texier

Laine - Johnson - Texier/Fantilli

Chinakhov - Foudy - Marchenko

Voronkov - Danforth - Bemstrom/Robinson (Olivier)

Sillinger (starts at least) in the AHL. Not seen enough of McKown. My Meyer hype has died down.

I still look to trade/waive both Roslovic/Kuraly, the “hometown guy” thing IS a legitimate problem in regards to these guys, IMO. At all the golf outings. They suck.

 

[thebus88]

Honestly forgot about Christiansen and Bjork. Yeah we’re fine in depth

Just to add to the conversation, I’m not really a fan of either Christiansen or Bjork. Both completely different style of players than a Harrington, which is the type of defenseman we “still” need, higher or lower on the lineup, and the type I prefer as “depth”.

I’d throw Bjork’s name out there as 1 of the most overrated players over the past few years, as some of the stuff said about him last year was pretty overboard regarding his skill level or ability to play regularly in the lineup.

We don’t need more offense from our defense. It’d be interesting to rank teams OFFENSE from their defense. Werenski, Provorov, Severson, Boqvist, Bean/Jiricek and Svozil/Mateychuk is a ridiculously offensively skilled defensive group.

 

[stevo61]

Definitely a mistake, not sure why but I did think they played together for some reason not really remembering Fantilli played just the 1 year. That said, their ages being so close together, both being Canadian and going to U of M, I’m sure there was definitely some “overlap” and familiarity there. It’s safe to say they have skated together before and Fantilli has probably had more interaction with KJ than any other CBJ player up until this point.

I’d say they both, Fantilli especially, speaks about each other interviews just as much as Babcock and the front office have spoken about Peeke, which apparently means a whole lot.



I think Babcock will hate Roslovic and love Danforth. IMO, when healthy, there’s no way Danforth should be out of the lineup and Kuraly/Roslovic or even Robinson should be in. And to be frank, I put Foudy in over all of them, at center or wing, and Babcock probably loves him also. The contracts/cap hits of Kuraly and Roslovic are brutal. Much worse than Gudbranson who actually brings something.

Gaudreau - Jenner - Fantilli/Texier

Laine - Johnson - Texier/Fantilli

Chinakhov - Foudy - Marchenko

Voronkov - Danforth - Bemstrom/Robinson (Olivier)

Sillinger (starts at least) in the AHL. Not seen enough of McKown. My Meyer hype has died down.

I still look to trade/waive both Roslovic/Kuraly, the “hometown guy” thing IS a legitimate problem in regards to these guys, IMO. At all the golf outings. They suck.

Id trade Roslovic if the oppurtunity presents itself also but it wont until later in the season. With him being in a contract season and now having Babcock the best we could hope for is him improving his game to get some sort of value. I think at best we would be swapping for a different contract if we trade him now or we wait it out and hope he comes out flying like he was when originally traded here. Getting him out of being a pretend center and back to RW may help his game more than we expect so I hope that is what happens

 

[thebus88]

Btw, who do you think will be an assistant along with Werenski? Gaudreau wasn't even in Calgary, Gudbranson is a third pair player, Kuraly is a fourth line player, and if I can still imagine Erik, I can't Kuraly. He's not Dubinsky.

The easy answer that all the HATERS aren’t going to like, is Gudbranson.

I'd bet pretty hard its Kuraly. Or they do a Home/Away thing and do Kuraly and Gaudreau. But I'll just outright guess Kuraly gets it

Fire Babcock

 

[stevo61]

Just to add to the conversation, I’m not really a fan of either Christiansen or Bjork. Both completely different style of players than a Harrington, which is the type of defenseman we “still” need, higher or lower on the lineup, and the type I prefer as “depth”.

I’d throw Bjork’s name out there as 1 of the most overrated players over the past few years, as some of the stuff said about him last year was pretty overboard regarding his skill level or ability to play regularly in the lineup.

We don’t need more offense from our defense. It’d be interesting to rank teams OFFENSE from their defense. Werenski, Provorov, Severson, Boqvist, Bean/Jiricek and Svozil/Mateychuk is a ridiculously offensively skilled defensive group.

Bjork I agree with, Christiansen I dont. Hes a very good option as a #7. Can move the puck, lay some nice hits, good enough defensively and play more than a few games without it being a big issue. There are many ways to defend and having guys that can quickly get the puck out of their own end lines up perfectly with Babcock's systems.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

The easy answer that all the HATERS aren’t going to like, is Gudbranson.


Fire Babcock

To be clear, you’re saying that should he determine Kuraly is a deserving assistant captain, that Babcock should be relieved for his head coaching duties?

 

[majormajor]

I think Babcock will hate Roslovic and love Danforth. IMO, when healthy, there’s no way Danforth should be out of the lineup and Kuraly/Roslovic or even Robinson should be in. And to be frank, I put Foudy in over all of them, at center or wing, and Babcock probably loves him also. The contracts/cap hits of Kuraly and Roslovic are brutal. Much worse than Gudbranson who actually brings something.

Gaudreau - Jenner - Fantilli/Texier

Laine - Johnson - Texier/Fantilli

Chinakhov - Foudy - Marchenko

Voronkov - Danforth - Bemstrom/Robinson (Olivier)

Sillinger (starts at least) in the AHL. Not seen enough of McKown. My Meyer hype has died down.

I still look to trade/waive both Roslovic/Kuraly, the “hometown guy” thing IS a legitimate problem in regards to these guys, IMO. At all the golf outings. They suck.

I have no idea why he would dislike Kuraly. I still don't even know why you dislike Kuraly. He's a meat and potatoes player, there's not much to like or dislike there. For the last two years he's taken most of the team's D zone faceoffs, not an easy job.

And why would Foudy be preferred? I don't know. Maybe Babcock sees him as a guy who could take advantage of the stretch pass, though that would be on the wing. I personally don't see Foudy having the skills. Even compared to Kuraly, Foudy's inability to stay on his feet is a problem.

Id trade Roslovic if the oppurtunity presents itself also but it wont until later in the season. With him being in a contract season and now having Babcock the best we could hope for is him improving his game to get some sort of value. I think at best we would be swapping for a different contract if we trade him now or we wait it out and hope he comes out flying like he was when originally traded here. Getting him out of being a pretend center and back to RW may help his game more than we expect so I hope that is what happens

A Roslovic that cuts out the blind passes, scores a little more consistently, and pays a bit more attention defensively, would be a valuable player. We could use a guy like that!

Bjork I agree with, Christiansen I dont. Hes a very good option as a #7. Can move the puck, lay some nice hits, good enough defensively and play more than a few games without it being a big issue. There are many ways to defend and having guys that can quickly get the puck out of their own end lines up perfectly with Babcock's systems.

Don't tell bus this part but I don't see much of a gap, if any, between Christiansen and Bean.

 

[stevo61]

I have no idea why he would dislike Kuraly. I still don't even know why you dislike Kuraly. He's a meat and potatoes player, there's not much to like or dislike there. For the last two years he's taken most of the team's D zone faceoffs, not an easy job.

And why would Foudy be preferred? I don't know. Maybe Babcock sees him as a guy who could take advantage of the stretch pass, though that would be on the wing. I personally don't see Foudy having the skills. Even compared to Kuraly, Foudy's inability to stay on his feet is a problem.



A Roslovic that cuts out the blind passes, scores a little more consistently, and pays a bit more attention defensively, would be a valuable player. We could use a guy like that!



Don't tell bus this part but I don't see much of a gap, if any, between Christiansen and Bean.

Seems like a few simple changes but we'll see, some players are pretty stubborn. I feel like Roslovic will have a good year, I just dont know if it will be the contract year trap or him just maturing his game

 

[Farmboy Patty]

Seems like a few simple changes but we'll see, some players are pretty stubborn. I feel like Roslovic will have a good year, I just dont know if it will be the contract year trap or him just maturing his game

I just hope that Babs will play Roslovic on the wing, because that’s where he can thrive. He has his moments at C, but he more often than not plays with his blinders on and ends up ruining the attack. He’s got the tools for being a solid top 6 winger if utilized correctly IMO.