Firstly, I'll apologize for the long post forthcoming, if you so choose to read.
Having said that, without knowing the availability of the market, I will assume there are countless players available that would be an upgrade to mik, that wouldn't cost the bounty of guentzel. I dont even think that should be an option. Scoring is not the teams issues, as nice as it would be to roll out 2 and a half lines(or 3 depending how anyone values roster) of offensive threats, this team is not one lacking of firepower. Ultimately, I agree with the logic that there is no instance where he needs to be traded, or seen as a detriment to this team atm. Some of yall are really shooting for the stars saying the only logic for upgrade is Guentzel or vatrano, or some ridiculous idea that more offense is the priority, which honestly, I don't think the team can or should afford, nor is it even a problem.
I do agree with not needing to disrupt what's good. Why f*** with a winning formula? But having said that if you do, you don't do it to win regular season games. Teams change tactics in the playoffs, and being the highest scoring team with the most wins means about as much as pre season predictions. Whistles go away and speed n scoring grind to a halt.
I believe in this roster more than any we've had in a long time, but those stl losses showed me, they have trouble w the grind it, physical wearing games that are close. The games where they lost to the other contenders, on the road, in col, DAL, and Vegas, where they had line change disadvantage, and calls that usually favor home team, the opposing top d, outpaced and out produced ours, and the scores weren't close.
Injuries are always a stroke of luck and no one can control that, but the winners avoided this, which is prob the biggest thing. The recent cup winners all had at least 7 d deep, where 2-3 prob coulda played on most other teams top pairing.
The teams 3rd line I feel is set. It shouldn't be changed, its value has shown, that it is the one line that can play in any style, irrelevant if it produces offense or not. It is the line that you almost never worry about.
The amalgam of the top 2 lines in regards to ep, El, jt, bb, and whoever fills the wings, whether it be ps and mik, or whomever, it's at the point of ride or die. If you think the difference in the team winning is offense, well I'll politely disagree.
My targets, sorry again for the essay, is depth at d, and rhd at that, which everyone agrees with. Nothing needed to add to that. Imho though, the other would probably be to shore up the 4th line. They are the balance. Roughly 10min a game, where you aren't worried defensively if they're caught out against a 1 or 2 line. They should have speed, size, and a grit that pressures and punishes opposing d in the dump Ins, understands their role.
I've been of the theory, that in the playoffs, you can't be losing your d to tit for tat calls, one's taken in scrums etc, because with 6 dressed, it burns the others out playing more. Atm, the teams defense, are it's bodyguards. You need fwd lines to have at least one guy to play the bad guy to not tax the back end.
Apologies again for the essay, I'm just thorough with my explanations
