Speculation: Armchair GM Thread

[glenngineer]

"Magical Unicorn" no but what we have now is bad. Sometimes players need to leave where they are for whatever reason. It worked for Eichel. This kid is young. My biggest fear is that the current Org Leadership hasn't shown they know how to use the players we already have. Marchy has complained he doesn't know from shift to shift who is linemates are. That is NOT a good way to develop chemistry. IJDK.

Comparing Eichel to Cozens is not a fair one. Eichel wanted out because of an injury. He was second overall behind McDavid and is a ppg player for his career. Cozens topped out at 68 points once.

Just because Cozens may be better than anyone we have doesn’t make it the right or smart move.

And to @Scoresberg, sure, we could move Svechkov for Cozens, my question is why? Svechkov has better potential to be a solid 2 way center, which by all accounts is a good thing. I’d rather not give up on a player who’s trending in the right direction for a guy who’s regressing.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Comparing Eichel to Cozens is not a fair one. Eichel wanted out because of an injury. He was second overall behind McDavid and is a ppg player for his career. Cozens topped out at 68 points once.

Just because Cozens may be better than anyone we have doesn’t make it the right or smart move.

And to @Scoresberg, sure, we could move Svechkov for Cozens, my question is why? Svechkov has better potential to be a solid 2 way center, which by all accounts is a good thing. I’d rather not give up on a player who’s trending in the right direction for a guy who’s regressing.

Absolutely no way I'd give Svechkov up for Cozens.

 

[Kat Predator]

"Magical Unicorn" no but what we have now is bad. Sometimes players need to leave where they are for whatever reason. It worked for Eichel. This kid is young. My biggest fear is that the current Org Leadership hasn't shown they know how to use the players we already have. Marchy has complained he doesn't know from shift to shift who is linemates are. That is NOT a good way to develop chemistry. IJDK.

I share that skepticism. Cozens is a young one-way forward with a big contract. Does the fact that he's from somewhere else and the size of his contract (does contract = cereal winner?) mean he gets cemented in the top 6 no matter what happens? Or do his age and warts mean our coaches bounce him up and down the lineup like the basketball of Marques Haynes?

I have 0 confidence that our braintrust will put this guy in the best situation either way. Our approach is more of a cross between fantasy league and throw stuff at a wall to see what sticks.

 

[herzausstein]

Cozens value should be closer to Dubois when traded to Washington value instead of what Buffalo fans are wanting which is Dubois traded to Columbus value. He already has 1.5 years of declining production and a fat contract.

 

[hido]

I would prefer that they do absolutely nothing until the current head coach is terminated. I have no faith in that guy and until he's launched into the sun why even bother making moves? And if GMBT does start unloading even more prospects and draft picks while keeping the coach then let him ride shotgun with Bruno.

 

[Scoresberg]

And to @Scoresberg, sure, we could move Svechkov for Cozens, my question is why? Svechkov has better potential to be a solid 2 way center, which by all accounts is a good thing. I’d rather not give up on a player who’s trending in the right direction for a guy who’s regressing.

That's another question.

My point was that I'd rather move Svechkov than ZLH, as I do think we have a Sveckov replacement in our pipeline whereas ZLH is unique. Naturally, I wouldn't want to give up either for Cozens but I'm higher on Cozens than most here seem to be and I understand that he's a piece that will not come cheap.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Svech is a nice player, but i'd be shocked if he ever becomes more than what people are minimizing Cozens to already be.

I am completely unimpressed with our current prospect pool. The only guy I really like that I think has a chance to be top line/top six tweener is Surin and that's at wing. I believe we have several NHL players who will play in the league, but not any difference makers. I am guilty of being overly critical of my rooting interests for sure, so that's probably partly my fault but my guess is that we see Parsinnen gone, Svech plays 3rd line for a while before we realize he's a just a Sissons replacement, Wood will bust out because he won't skate well enough to play high and not physical enough to play anywhere else, ZLH is a middle six 18/20 type player, and Edstrom is a slightly better version of Svech.

I know that reads like a lot of negativities, but to me it's just the most likely outcome for most of these guys instead of the pie in the sky, everybody is hitting their maximum player comparison.

We are only 2 seasons away from thinking Pars was a sure fire top 6 guy with him turning into some type of Joe Thornton lite center. I have learned my lesson; these guys are rarely what they "could" be are usually more of what they already have shown to be.

 

[Scoresberg]

Svech is a nice player, but i'd be shocked if he ever becomes more than what people are minimizing Cozens to already be.

I am completely unimpressed with our current prospect pool. The only guy I really like that I think has a chance to be top line/top six tweener is Surin and that's at wing. I believe we have several NHL players who will play in the league, but not any difference makers. I am guilty of being overly critical of my rooting interests for sure, so that's probably partly my fault but my guess is that we see Parsinnen gone, Svech plays 3rd line for a while before we realize he's a just a Sissons replacement, Wood will bust out because he won't skate well enough to play high and not physical enough to play anywhere else, ZLH is a middle six 18/20 type player, and Edstrom is a slightly better version of Svech.

I know that reads like a lot of negativities, but to me it's just the most likely outcome for most of these guys instead of the pie in the sky, everybody is hitting their maximum player comparison.

We are only 2 seasons away from thinking Pars was a sure fire top 6 guy with him turning into some type of Joe Thornton lite center. I have learned my lesson; these guys are rarely what they "could" be are usually more of what they already have shown to be.

It's not even so much about the prospect pool, per se, but our ability to develop these guys. I mean the track record is borderline unacceptable for a pro-franchise. It's just we never seem to be able to develop players no matter how hyped up they are when we're drafting them. Tolvanen, Fiala (well he broke out elsewhere), etc.

 

[Predsanddead24]

I'm a day late to the Cozens conversation but if he comes at the right price I'd definitely be interested. I'm a big fan of L'Hereux but I also wouldn't lost sleep over giving him up. I like Svechkov to an extent but I'd easily include him too. He's not a bad player but I think Edstrom is just as likely to fill that role. Cozens contract is rough but with the cap rising that is going to be a pretty typical 2C contract. My biggest concern as others have noted is that with Bruno at the helm I trust nobody to perform well. But I do think if Cozens does go somewhere he'll turn into a solid 2C at worst with potential to be a lower end 1C. I know we all want a high end 1C but we desperately need a longer term solution at 2C at a minimum and I think Cozens can at least be that.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

It's funny reading back through old threads about potential trades which obviously never actually happened, but still entertaining. Stone, Tkachuk, Debrincat, all were "too expensive, too small, not worth it, never going to sign a long-term deal, product of their environment, disgruntled". So many different warts, all of which might have been true at the time or even still. Maybe those guys never were a possibility, but what was the most interesting part was all types of names thrown around deemed to be "just as good" eventually or too valuable to the team. Trenin, Tomasino, Jeannot, Parsinnen, Askarov, etc. type names.

I'm a day late to the Cozens conversation but if he comes at the right price I'd definitely be interested. I'm a big fan of L'Hereux but I also wouldn't lost sleep over giving him up. I like Svechkov to an extent but I'd easily include him too. He's not a bad player but I think Edstrom is just as likely to fill that role. Cozens contract is rough but with the cap rising that is going to be a pretty typical 2C contract. My biggest concern as others have noted is that with Bruno at the helm I trust nobody to perform well. But I do think if Cozens does go somewhere he'll turn into a solid 2C at worst with potential to be a lower end 1C. I know we all want a high end 1C but we desperately need a longer term solution at 2C at a minimum and I think Cozens can at least be that.

You managed to summarize most of my posts from the last 18 hours into 1 paragraph. Your like chatGPT for the preds board.

 

[hockey diva]

My franchise for a 1C...

 

[glenngineer]

It's funny reading back through old threads about potential trades which obviously never actually happened, but still entertaining. Stone, Tkachuk, Debrincat, all were "too expensive, too small, not worth it, never going to sign a long-term deal, product of their environment, disgruntled". So many different warts, all of which might have been true at the time or even still. Maybe those guys never were a possibility, but what was the most interesting part was all types of names thrown around deemed to be "just as good" eventually or too valuable to the team. Trenin, Tomasino, Jeannot, Parsinnen, Askarov, etc. type names.


You managed to summarize most of my posts from the last 18 hours into 1 paragraph. Your like chatGPT for the preds board.

The problem with this is comparing Cozens to any of these guys. He’s nowhere close to a Stone, Eichel or Tkachuk and for that matter, DeBrincat.

I’m all for moving players to get better. I’m not for moving players who are a gamble. Sure, Cozens could be good for us. He could also be gone in two years. The other guys mentioned were proven commodities. It’s not a fair comparison.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

The problem with this is comparing Cozens to any of these guys. He’s nowhere close to a Stone, Eichel or Tkachuk and for that matter, DeBrincat.

I’m all for moving players to get better. I’m not for moving players who are a gamble. Sure, Cozens could be good for us. He could also be gone in two years. The other guys mentioned were proven commodities. It’s not a fair comparison.

It's definitely more like the Dubois situation IMO. A lot were pushing for us to take a chance on Dubois too.

 

[ShagDaddy]

The problem with this is comparing Cozens to any of these guys. He’s nowhere close to a Stone, Eichel or Tkachuk and for that matter, DeBrincat.

I’m all for moving players to get better. I’m not for moving players who are a gamble. Sure, Cozens could be good for us. He could also be gone in two years. The other guys mentioned were proven commodities. It’s not a fair comparison.

I agree that cozens isn’t the caliber of those players mentioned. Most of the time players of the caliber mentioned aren’t available, them being available is the exception to the rules. That being said, sometimes a team has to take a chance. As long as the players they have to give up in a trade don’t devastate the roster, it’s probably worth a shot in my opinion.

My opinion of the prospects and young players isn’t as high as some on this board so losing them really isn’t that big of a deal to me. I don’t think the Predators have a potential top line center in the organization.

 

[weeze]

Svech is a nice player, but i'd be shocked if he ever becomes more than what people are minimizing Cozens to already be.

I am completely unimpressed with our current prospect pool. The only guy I really like that I think has a chance to be top line/top six tweener is Surin and that's at wing. I believe we have several NHL players who will play in the league, but not any difference makers. I am guilty of being overly critical of my rooting interests for sure, so that's probably partly my fault but my guess is that we see Parsinnen gone, Svech plays 3rd line for a while before we realize he's a just a Sissons replacement, Wood will bust out because he won't skate well enough to play high and not physical enough to play anywhere else, ZLH is a middle six 18/20 type player, and Edstrom is a slightly better version of Svech.

I know that reads like a lot of negativities, but to me it's just the most likely outcome for most of these guys instead of the pie in the sky, everybody is hitting their maximum player comparison.

We are only 2 seasons away from thinking Pars was a sure fire top 6 guy with him turning into some type of Joe Thornton lite center. I have learned my lesson; these guys are rarely what they "could" be are usually more of what they already have shown to be.

Is your analysis because of the player or because of the HC and the system? The two do not go hand in hand. We are seeing other Preds playing better Hockey on other clubs.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

Feels like Johansen/Turris redux (yes I know Johansen had some good seasons with us, but he was never the player we thought we were trading for). Reportedly struggling at the center position so may not even help us there.

At that salary and current level of production I don't want to give up young players that are showing signs of life (e.g. ZLH).

 

[bdub24]

Since Trotz refuses to fire Burnette, Trotz has to go.

 

[glenngineer]

I agree that cozens isn’t the caliber of those players mentioned. Most of the time players of the caliber mentioned aren’t available, them being available is the exception to the rules. That being said, sometimes a team has to take a chance. As long as the players they have to give up in a trade don’t devastate the roster, it’s probably worth a shot in my opinion.

My opinion of the prospects and young players isn’t as high as some on this board so losing them really isn’t that big of a deal to me. I don’t think the Predators have a potential top line center in the organization.

I agree that teams need to take chances on players. I also agree the team doesn't have a 1C prospect.

What I think we might have is two prospects that can be 2C players. If the season continues as it has, we "hopefully" get that unicorn 1C so many of us have dreamt about for years. Couple that with a young two way 2C and two guys who should be top pair defensemen and you're on your way to building a successful team.

I don't want to decimate the roster based on what Bruno and Trotz think they have. Wouldn't Fabbro have looked nice with all the injuries we've had? Wouldn't Tomasino look good if he was given a chance? I'm more ticked about Fabbro. I'm also ticked about Askarov. I'm also ticked about Duchene.

This isn't directed at you but look at all we had on the roster and what we've gotten back. I don't even want to go back and look at the decimation of the roster two years ago until now, I'm afraid I'd lose it.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Is your analysis because of the player or because of the HC and the system? The two do not go hand in hand. We are seeing other Preds playing better Hockey on other clubs.

As far as Svech goes? He's a nice player, but nothing jumps out that makes me think he's a game breaker or elite level player. He does a lot of things well, but not sure he has a trait to hang his hat on to be in that upper level of player. It's not an insult to Svech. I think he should be a long-term NHL player, but I think he ends up a 3C on most teams when it all shakes out.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

The problem with this is comparing Cozens to any of these guys. He’s nowhere close to a Stone, Eichel or Tkachuk and for that matter, DeBrincat.

I’m all for moving players to get better. I’m not for moving players who are a gamble. Sure, Cozens could be good for us. He could also be gone in two years. The other guys mentioned were proven commodities. It’s not a fair comparison.

Yeah, never compared him, but used those trade discussions to make a point that often the players we think in the moment are "can't miss" or the next thing are just here for a cup of coffee. I think there is something to having an established player, and I think we are often a little overzealous at projecting our own guys.

 

[glenngineer]

Yeah, never compared him, but used those trade discussions to make a point that often the players we think in the moment are "can't miss" or the next thing are just here for a cup of coffee. I think there is something to having an established player, and I think we are often a little overzealous at projecting our own guys.

Fully agree that we overhype our own guys. It's funny to think we didn't want to give up Tolvanen + to get Stone.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

Fully agree that we overhype our own guys. It's funny to think we didn't want to give up Tolvanen + to get Stone.

Think breaking into the NHL is extremely difficult, but maybe more difficult than that is becoming established year to year. It's a completely different challenge.

 

[Scoresberg]

Another guy to throw into the mix.. would love Kakko on the Preds. Feel like there's still a bunch of untapped potential in him.

 

[Soundgarden]

I wouldn't mind, but seems to be another Cody Glass type tweener. 23, hit exactly 40 points once and made it over 20 points just one other time. Worth a gamble, but I don't know what the return would be.

 

[Predsanddead24]

As far as Svech goes? He's a nice player, but nothing jumps out that makes me think he's a game breaker or elite level player. He does a lot of things well, but not sure he has a trait to hang his hat on to be in that upper level of player. It's not an insult to Svech. I think he should be a long-term NHL player, but I think he ends up a 3C on most teams when it all shakes out.

Yeah the scouting report on Svechkov seemed to always be a 3C type at best and I'm not sure he's really done much to change that assessment. I don't have super strong opinions about Cozens and the stat line this year is definitely a bit scary, but even if he were just a 20g-30a guy like he was last season I still think I'd be fine to give up Svechkov and one of our late 1sts for him.