Line Combos: CBJ Roster Discussion/Line Combos/Injury Report

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I’m not sure how to read into that. Elvis has played a lot recently. He’s had some really solid stretches and some less than stellar moments.

I won’t say he’s been terrible. Just a bit inconsistent lately as he’s started a ton of games.

Clearly no trust in Tarasov is there. Jet’s save % in Cleveland leaves a bit to be desired even though the team is winning there.

 

[LJ7]

clearly jarmo loved tarasov but i don't think waddell feels the same way. wouldn't be surprised to see him on waivers at some point this year.

i think this is them giving greaves an audition to be the backup next year. if it doesn't go well i think they'll have an entirely new set of goalies next season.

Based on the quotes I think he could take the starting role if he comes out hot

 

[Monk]

I guess this means Chinny might still be out for awhile. Really wish we had a little more insight into his injury. I love the way the kid plays but he is starting to nudge his way into the "injury prone" label. Third year in a row he is starting to rack up the missed games.

In the pregame last night Evason said he wasn't close to returning.

 

[ViD]

I’m not sure how to read into that. Elvis has played a lot recently. He’s had some really solid stretches and some less than stellar moments.

I won’t say he’s been terrible. Just a bit inconsistent lately as he’s started a ton of games.

Clearly no trust in Tarasov is there. Jet’s save % in Cleveland leaves a bit to be desired even though the team is winning there.

Bad play by Elvis and no trust in Tarasov. Simple as that

 

[VT]

Egor is very "crystal", I don't like it. One seems to train normally, not lazy. So he is one of those who are prone to injuries.

 

[Doggy]

In the pregame last night Evason said he wasn't close to returning.

This is when I need some sort of "dislike" button instead of a "like" button.

 

[koteka]

Jet’s save % in Cleveland leaves a bit to be desired even though the team is winning there.

“Greaves, the AHL Goaltender of the Month, went 7-1-0 during November with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and one shutout, helping the Monsters put together a franchise-record 10-game winning streak.”

Gawdin, Mateychuk, Greaves named award winners for November

theahl.com

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

“Greaves, the AHL Goaltender of the Month, went 7-1-0 during November with a 2.37 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and one shutout, helping the Monsters put together a franchise-record 10-game winning streak.”

Gawdin, Mateychuk, Greaves named award winners for November

theahl.com

I mean his season stats are .902 so those other games must have been pretty rough. So far overall his stats aren't matching last season.

TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League

theahl.com

 

[KJ Dangler]

I mean his season stats are .902 so those other games must have been pretty rough. So far overall his stats aren't matching last season.

TheAHL.com | The American Hockey League

theahl.com

Cleveland started out in a funk , turned it around in November and December

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Cleveland started out in a funk , turned it around in November and December

They've also given up the most goals in thier division as well.

Not blaming Jet on this but it makes me wonder about the defensive makeup and system of the organization as a whole since Cleveland adopts whatever we are doing in Columbus.

I still have my doubts that Jet can be a long term answer in the NHL. Eventually the whole league will have a scouting report on him as he plays more in the NHL. His AHL numbers in December have regressed a bit when you look at his game log.

 

[majormajor]

I've got a few players in mind for a buy low list. No idea if it will look stupid in a couple years. Though my trade for Batherson proposal is looking good in hindsight.

Another Senator who I have my eye on is Shane Pinto. He's inexplicably getting terrible results this year. But I see a guy who has very impressive defensive ability and can score goals. Ridly Greig is also struggling a bit. I think Travis Green might be bringing the value down on these guys.

Dawson Mercer continues to stagnate in New Jersey. Just a very crafty player who has a lot of two-way potential and at times looks like he could be a big scorer. Didn't he hit a ten game goal streak last year? I don't know why he's not taking a step but he might benefit from a change of scenery.

Anaheim has a bunch of guys that are better than the results they're getting under Cronin. I've always kind of disliked the attention Zegras got but he's now swung too low, he's better than this. And Mason McTavish is struggling badly, I think he's better than this too.

Buffalo is scratching Jack Quinn a lot. He's a scorer who hasn't been scoring much, so it's not a surprise. But the scoring tools are really good, he has the full arsenal and should have some good seasons ahead of him.

Seattle might just be bad enough to sell some veterans, including our boy Bjorkstrand. If they struggle I imagine they might move Bjorkstrand at the deadline for a close prospect. Is LDBB too good for that? I suppose it depends on how many strong years you think Bjorkstrand has left. I still think he's great but I'm not sure on the timing. Tolvanen is a good third liner that I think might still be undervalued. The Seattle forecheck is not what it was and some of these guys are getting underutilized.

I don't think Maccelli's value is very high right now with only 10 pts. He's a small perimeter guy that is getting limited usage. But he could score 70 pts in the right situation.

Some of these guys would only take off in the right situation, with ice time, and we do have a lot of ice time available right now.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Not that we couldn’t use more forwards (as I don’t see Labanc,ZAR, JVR, Kuraly, and potentially Danforth sticking around much longer and we will need some bodies) but shouldn’t our main targets be defenders or goalies?

 

[majormajor]

Not that we couldn’t use more forwards (as I don’t see Labanc,ZAR, JVR, Kuraly, and potentially Danforth sticking around much longer and we will need some bodies) but shouldn’t our main targets be defenders or goalies?

In the short run we have a lot of free ice time at forward. So many players are injured or just not very effective. It would be an opportunity for one of those buy-low guys I mentioned. They get ice time, and in a positive creative environment. Jenner won't be back until Spring and by that point we'll have a few guys sold off at the deadline. Ice time is valuable for development purposes, if you know what I mean. I think we should spend the free time we have now on an underutilized young forward.

On D we don't have as much space. I think we expect Gudbranson back sooner, correct? Most of all I want to see Mateychuk up here. If he's ready to take over Provorov's minutes for next season (I think likely) then we don't have more space next year either. We'll have to see him up here first, and I'd rather do that first before doing any big acquisitions at D.

 

[DankoCBJ]

One UFA defenceman that I'm kind of intrigued is Dmitry Orlov. He has been really good in Carolina. He will be UFA this summer and turning 34 in july 2025. He might take a 2y deal because of his age. A deal like that would carry a minimal risk and be a really good "bridge" to carry lets say Mateychuk from "good to great" (age 21-23). We could certainly afford it.

Werenski - Fabbro
Orlov - Severson
Mateychuk - Gudbranson
Hunt

Thoughts?

(Getting a little ahead of myself I know lol)

 

[KJ Dangler]

I've got a few players in mind for a buy low list. No idea if it will look stupid in a couple years. Though my trade for Batherson proposal is looking good in hindsight.

Another Senator who I have my eye on is Shane Pinto. He's inexplicably getting terrible results this year. But I see a guy who has very impressive defensive ability and can score goals. Ridly Greig is also struggling a bit. I think Travis Green might be bringing the value down on these guys.

Dawson Mercer continues to stagnate in New Jersey. Just a very crafty player who has a lot of two-way potential and at times looks like he could be a big scorer. Didn't he hit a ten game goal streak last year? I don't know why he's not taking a step but he might benefit from a change of scenery.

Anaheim has a bunch of guys that are better than the results they're getting under Cronin. I've always kind of disliked the attention Zegras got but he's now swung too low, he's better than this. And Mason McTavish is struggling badly, I think he's better than this too.

Buffalo is scratching Jack Quinn a lot. He's a scorer who hasn't been scoring much, so it's not a surprise. But the scoring tools are really good, he has the full arsenal and should have some good seasons ahead of him.

Seattle might just be bad enough to sell some veterans, including our boy Bjorkstrand. If they struggle I imagine they might move Bjorkstrand at the deadline for a close prospect. Is LDBB too good for that? I suppose it depends on how many strong years you think Bjorkstrand has left. I still think he's great but I'm not sure on the timing. Tolvanen is a good third liner that I think might still be undervalued. The Seattle forecheck is not what it was and some of these guys are getting underutilized.

I don't think Maccelli's value is very high right now with only 10 pts. He's a small perimeter guy that is getting limited usage. But he could score 70 pts in the right situation.

Some of these guys would only take off in the right situation, with ice time, and we do have a lot of ice time available right now.

Wait.. are u suggesting LDBB for Bjorkstrand ? No way man .. LDBB , who is a center, is really starting to develop .

 

[majormajor]

Wait.. are u suggesting LDBB for Bjorkstrand ? No way man .. LDBB , who is a center, is really starting to develop .

Not suggesting it, asking if LDBB has gotten too good for that sort of swap. I think most of us would say his stock has gotten too high for it.

But if Bjorkstrand was younger I don't think it would be any question.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

I've got a few players in mind for a buy low list. No idea if it will look stupid in a couple years. Though my trade for Batherson proposal is looking good in hindsight.

Another Senator who I have my eye on is Shane Pinto. He's inexplicably getting terrible results this year. But I see a guy who has very impressive defensive ability and can score goals. Ridly Greig is also struggling a bit. I think Travis Green might be bringing the value down on these guys.

Dawson Mercer continues to stagnate in New Jersey. Just a very crafty player who has a lot of two-way potential and at times looks like he could be a big scorer. Didn't he hit a ten game goal streak last year? I don't know why he's not taking a step but he might benefit from a change of scenery.

Anaheim has a bunch of guys that are better than the results they're getting under Cronin. I've always kind of disliked the attention Zegras got but he's now swung too low, he's better than this. And Mason McTavish is struggling badly, I think he's better than this too.

Buffalo is scratching Jack Quinn a lot. He's a scorer who hasn't been scoring much, so it's not a surprise. But the scoring tools are really good, he has the full arsenal and should have some good seasons ahead of him.

Seattle might just be bad enough to sell some veterans, including our boy Bjorkstrand. If they struggle I imagine they might move Bjorkstrand at the deadline for a close prospect. Is LDBB too good for that? I suppose it depends on how many strong years you think Bjorkstrand has left. I still think he's great but I'm not sure on the timing. Tolvanen is a good third liner that I think might still be undervalued. The Seattle forecheck is not what it was and some of these guys are getting underutilized.

I don't think Maccelli's value is very high right now with only 10 pts. He's a small perimeter guy that is getting limited usage. But he could score 70 pts in the right situation.

Some of these guys would only take off in the right situation, with ice time, and we do have a lot of ice time available right now.

good post, i've wondered about a lot of these guys as CBJ targets. hadn't really thought of mercer, who would be a great add, just don't think the jackets and devils are compatible trade partners.

i was pounding the jack quinn drum during the jiricek rumors, but now i think buffalo's going to end up having to sell low on him. he needs waivers to go down, they have a lot of other young wingers, and he's not in the lineup.

as you said, the scoring tools are really good. the hands and shot are both first-line quality, he's just missed a lot of time and the sabres are an absolute mess.

my only worry with quinn is that acquiring him may bring back some of the growing pains from the last few years (having too many 'developing' young guys in the lineup) since i think he and fantilli have some similar flaws at this point – trying to do too much, getting out of position defensively – but i wouldn't mind giving up prospects or picks to roll the dice on him.

 

[DarkandStormy]

Not that we couldn’t use more forwards (as I don’t see Labanc,ZAR, JVR, Kuraly, and potentially Danforth sticking around much longer and we will need some bodies) but shouldn’t our main targets be defenders or goalies?

Interesting point, given how many pending FAs there are. We should probably see some movement in the next month or so on Olivier and possibly Fabbro if they decide to sign extensions here. I'm guessing Waddell doesn't want to head into March with 12 free agents or whatever and no idea what they're doing.

The 4C spot seems to be to be the open spot up front. Do you re-sign Kuraly or Danforth for that role or pick up a new FA? You have five NHL centers (Monahan, Fantilli, Jenner, Sillinger, Voronkov) without re-signing anybody, but those five seem more like top 9 types.

Counting Johnson, Marchenko, and Chinakhov gives you 8 forwards, then up to 9 if Olivier re-signs. So you're talking two bottom six wing spots and maybe a 13F position that would be open (if they don't decide to swing a big trade for a top line winger). Maybe you take a 1-2 year flier on Labanc if he'd sign? That would leave a wing spot for Pyythia, Brindley, Dumais, LDBB, Malatesta, or FA.

On the back end they have to decide if Fabbro is the right partner for Werenski or if they need to go a different direction. Assuming Mateychuk is plug and play for Provorov then you have decisions about 1RD and 3LD. Plenty of options in house (Christiansen, Harris, Fabbro) but I would agree I think we're most likely to see an upgrade on the back end.

Goalies are a mess.

 

[cbjthrowaway]

Interesting point, given how many pending FAs there are. We should probably see some movement in the next month or so on Olivier and possibly Fabbro if they decide to sign extensions here. I'm guessing Waddell doesn't want to head into March with 12 free agents or whatever and no idea what they're doing.

The 4C spot seems to be to be the open spot up front. Do you re-sign Kuraly or Danforth for that role or pick up a new FA? You have five NHL centers (Monahan, Fantilli, Jenner, Sillinger, Voronkov) without re-signing anybody, but those five seem more like top 9 types.

Counting Johnson, Marchenko, and Chinakhov gives you 8 forwards, then up to 9 if Olivier re-signs. So you're talking two bottom six wing spots and maybe a 13F position that would be open (if they don't decide to swing a big trade for a top line winger). Maybe you take a 1-2 year flier on Labanc if he'd sign? That would leave a wing spot for Pyythia, Brindley, Dumais, LDBB, Malatesta, or FA.

On the back end they have to decide if Fabbro is the right partner for Werenski or if they need to go a different direction. Assuming Mateychuk is plug and play for Provorov then you have decisions about 1RD and 3LD. Plenty of options in house (Christiansen, Harris, Fabbro) but I would agree I think we're most likely to see an upgrade on the back end.

Goalies are a mess.

there are lots of rumblings (portzline said it outright a week or two ago) that waddell was surprised by how much farther along the team is than what he expected, so i don't think they're going to be content to sit on cap space and earmark roster spots for most of the guys who are still here.

i think it's going to be a two-stage process:

1. move guys out before the deadline (kuraly, provorov) for assets and bring in buy-low guys in their RFA years (ex: jack quinn, nils hoglander) who could be multi-year fits here
2. go big game hunting this summer in UFA and on the trade market, moving out non-core pieces to add some star power

for point #2, i wouldn't be surprised if one or more of voronkov, sillinger and chinakhov were dangled as trade bait to reel in a big fish. all three of them are quality young players, but i doubt waddell is going to want to run it back with what is mostly a jarmo-built forward group for two straight years after taking the job.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

good post, i've wondered about a lot of these guys as CBJ targets. hadn't really thought of mercer, who would be a great add, just don't think the jackets and devils are compatible trade partners.

As a Devils follower as well. I'm not sure NJ has any interest in moving Dawson Mercer. He in the 1st year of a 3 year deal with a 4 million cap hit. Great value for a guy probably good for 20 goals as a solid 2 way player. He's not and never will be Timo Meier, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, or Jesper Bratt so he can get lost in their overall depth and star power. They've managed their cap well and probably won't have a need to move him for the role he fills. If they hit a real cap crunch they'd probably be more likely to want to move Ondrej Palat.

 

[MoeBartoli]

I've got a few players in mind for a buy low list. No idea if it will look stupid in a couple years. Though my trade for Batherson proposal is looking good in hindsight.

Another Senator who I have my eye on is Shane Pinto. He's inexplicably getting terrible results this year. But I see a guy who has very impressive defensive ability and can score goals. Ridly Greig is also struggling a bit. I think Travis Green might be bringing the value down on these guys.

Dawson Mercer continues to stagnate in New Jersey. Just a very crafty player who has a lot of two-way potential and at times looks like he could be a big scorer. Didn't he hit a ten game goal streak last year? I don't know why he's not taking a step but he might benefit from a change of scenery.

Anaheim has a bunch of guys that are better than the results they're getting under Cronin. I've always kind of disliked the attention Zegras got but he's now swung too low, he's better than this. And Mason McTavish is struggling badly, I think he's better than this too.

Buffalo is scratching Jack Quinn a lot. He's a scorer who hasn't been scoring much, so it's not a surprise. But the scoring tools are really good, he has the full arsenal and should have some good seasons ahead of him.

Seattle might just be bad enough to sell some veterans, including our boy Bjorkstrand. If they struggle I imagine they might move Bjorkstrand at the deadline for a close prospect. Is LDBB too good for that? I suppose it depends on how many strong years you think Bjorkstrand has left. I still think he's great but I'm not sure on the timing. Tolvanen is a good third liner that I think might still be undervalued. The Seattle forecheck is not what it was and some of these guys are getting underutilized.

I don't think Maccelli's value is very high right now with only 10 pts. He's a small perimeter guy that is getting limited usage. But he could score 70 pts in the right situation.

Some of these guys would only take off in the right situation, with ice time, and we do have a lot of ice time available right now.

There’s a couple of names on this list that are of interest. Before making any big moves, I want to see DBBL, Jet and Mateychuk brought up sometime in January to evaluate them against NHL players. That will provide some insight on what the front office needs to do.

If Mateychuk sustains the promise I’m expecting, he will step in for Provorov. DBBL could answer some questions about the 3rd line next year. And how Jet does would shed light on whether we need to sweep the goalie room or seek only a starter.

I’m still left to ask if Fabbro is the 1RD solution or bridge. I’m also left with questions as to how many top 6 forwards we have. I’m settled on Monahan, KJ, Marchenko and Fantilli though I don’t know whether Mo is a C or W. Boone is always there to fill a role. Where’s Chinakov? He’d be there(and I like him) but durability makes him a question mark on his availability and what’s Waddell’s view of him? So might one of Major’s player list be an opening? Or on the 3rd line (see next). In my perfect world I’d love it if we could add an established top 6 scoring W or C.

Voronkov and Sillinger are my 3rd line starting point with Danforth at C with Olivier on my 4th. That leaves spots open on each line. Can DBBL or Brindley fill roles? I don’t expect JVR, ZAR or Lebanc to return and Kuraly will be traded at the TDL. With Brindley, Maletesta and even O Sillinger in Cleveland, that aforementioned group is easily replaced.

 

[DarkandStormy]

there are lots of rumblings (portzline said it outright a week or two ago) that waddell was surprised by how much farther along the team is than what he expected, so i don't think they're going to be content to sit on cap space and earmark roster spots for most of the guys who are still here.

i think it's going to be a two-stage process:

1. move guys out before the deadline (kuraly, provorov) for assets and bring in buy-low guys in their RFA years (ex: jack quinn, nils hoglander) who could be multi-year fits here
2. go big game hunting this summer in UFA and on the trade market, moving out non-core pieces to add some star power

for point #2, i wouldn't be surprised if one or more of voronkov, sillinger and chinakhov were dangled as trade bait to reel in a big fish. all three of them are quality young players, but i doubt waddell is going to want to run it back with what is mostly a jarmo-built forward group for two straight years after taking the job.

True. And some pretty big name top line wingers could hit FA if they choose - Marner, Ehlers, Rantanen.

 

[majormajor]

There’s a couple of names on this list that are of interest. Before making any big moves, I want to see DBBL, Jet and Mateychuk brought up sometime in January to evaluate them against NHL players. That will provide some insight on what the front office needs to do.

If Mateychuk sustains the promise I’m expecting, he will step in for Provorov. DBBL could answer some questions about the 3rd line next year. And how Jet does would shed light on whether we need to sweep the goalie room or seek only a starter.

That to me is the obvious approach with Mateychuk and Greaves. Many folks are saying we should sign Provorov or other veteran top 4 just in case Mateychuk isn't ready - shouldn't we look at Mateychuk first? It really, genuinely, will not hurt him to play some NHL hockey. His play really might determine what approach we take.

Up front I'd also like to evaluate LDBB but I'm not sure if it has as much bearing on our decision making. Perhaps I have that feeling just because there's more forward slots.

 

[VT]

I've got a few players in mind for a buy low list. No idea if it will look stupid in a couple years. Though my trade for Batherson proposal is looking good in hindsight.

Another Senator who I have my eye on is Shane Pinto. He's inexplicably getting terrible results this year. But I see a guy who has very impressive defensive ability and can score goals. Ridly Greig is also struggling a bit. I think Travis Green might be bringing the value down on these guys.

Dawson Mercer continues to stagnate in New Jersey. Just a very crafty player who has a lot of two-way potential and at times looks like he could be a big scorer. Didn't he hit a ten game goal streak last year? I don't know why he's not taking a step but he might benefit from a change of scenery.

Anaheim has a bunch of guys that are better than the results they're getting under Cronin. I've always kind of disliked the attention Zegras got but he's now swung too low, he's better than this. And Mason McTavish is struggling badly, I think he's better than this too.

Buffalo is scratching Jack Quinn a lot. He's a scorer who hasn't been scoring much, so it's not a surprise. But the scoring tools are really good, he has the full arsenal and should have some good seasons ahead of him.

Seattle might just be bad enough to sell some veterans, including our boy Bjorkstrand. If they struggle I imagine they might move Bjorkstrand at the deadline for a close prospect. Is LDBB too good for that? I suppose it depends on how many strong years you think Bjorkstrand has left. I still think he's great but I'm not sure on the timing. Tolvanen is a good third liner that I think might still be undervalued. The Seattle forecheck is not what it was and some of these guys are getting underutilized.

I don't think Maccelli's value is very high right now with only 10 pts. He's a small perimeter guy that is getting limited usage. But he could score 70 pts in the right situation.

Some of these guys would only take off in the right situation, with ice time, and we do have a lot of ice time available right now.

• I would like to see Mason McTavish here.
• We could trade Chinakhov (only because of his frequent injuries) to Montreal for its first round pick (they have three) and someone of Armia/Dvorak/Pezzetta... in short, the player they want to get rid of. We could use that to trade McTavish or someone else. Even then, the Habs owe us something.
• I'm under no illusions that we'll get Bjorkstrand back.

 

[koteka]

Not suggesting it, asking if LDBB has gotten too good for that sort of swap. I think most of us would say his stock has gotten too high for it.

But if Bjorkstrand was younger I don't think it would be any question.

I think last year we would have made that trade. Right now LDBB is a young CBJ-drafted center who actual looks like a center and is developing really well. You don’t move him. We even have a guy at the NHL level who could be a great mentor for him in Monahan.