I love the enthusiasm, but this isn't remotely realistic.
Anaheim would probably want players more suited to help now (cheap too.. Wood comes to mind) rather than a collection of prospects that are further away. They'd probably like McLeod, but Mueller doesn't do much for them, and Quenneville sucks.
I also don't think Tampa will be in the business of paying to dump cap, especially with only a year remaining on Callahan's deal. They'll likely move Johnson and/or Miller and net futures, instead of purging them.
You think Anaheim is still trying to win now? I believe they are looking towards the future, and with Lindholm young enough to stick around for the rebuild/retool I think Fowler could be had. And this package of futures includes a 1st round pick as well as a very good prospect in McLeod. Is he an A prospect? No but he is a solid B prospect with a high floor as a bottom six forward, and ceiling of a 2nd line center.
I agree about Tampa. It totally depends on if they're desperate to get rid of Callahan's contract or not.
Wild fans don't seem too keen on trading Brodin, but there's certainly a disconnect between what the fans want and what the GM does.
We'd probably have to include Wood in that deal, too.
If Brodin can't be had at somewhat of a discount (See the Niederreiter and Coyle moves), then I'd rather try for a bigger fish. I'm not so high on Brodin, but I would gladly accept him if what we had to give up didn't hurt too badly.
If I may...
A contender is a lock to make playoffs and can have a realistic chance of winning any playoff series in their division.
That's my definition....
But I have always believed that winning a cup has to have some luck in it...matchups, peaking at the right time, no key injuries....lots of little things can make a good fail to reach the pinnacle. I personally think contenders are most vulnerable in the first round... before they build momentum. Ask Tampa.
Great post. I agree with all points. Especially with the fact that the first round is when a contender is most vulnerable, that's so true. Luck is very much a factor, but the deeper your team is, and the more elite players you have, obviously the better. It will help lessen the blow of a loss like TJ Oshie last night for Washington. This is why drafting is so important and having young cheap players on ELCs that you can insert into the lineup is so important.
Got to think Shero goes trying to add some big pieces to this team. I'd think he adds a top 6 winger via free agency and possibly a Dman via trade but that one might be challenging.
I think Shero 1000000% adds a top 6/9 free agent forward, doesn't have to necessarily be a winger. I can see Shero having interest in Kevin Hayes. With the Fitzgerald Boston connection and considering the Jimmy Hayes signing worked out tremendously.
I don't think Shero feels the immediate need to add an impact defenseman like we do. If the right deal comes around he will 100% pull the trigger, but he won't force something.
It would be a travesty if Zacha was on the 4th line after the finish he had.
In Zacha's last 30 games he had 20 points. That is a 55 point pace. He only played 61 games this season He steadily got better after the new year and in his last 20 games he had 14 points.
I think Zacha deserves an opportunity to build on that.
Ideally, I'd like to see Zacha start out at the 3C position. I would be ok with him at 2C and Hughes on his LW. Or vice versa. I would also be ok with him at 3LW, with Zajac and Coleman on his line.
Shero also inherited Letang. His track record on defense was a concerning point when he was hired here. Outside of trades and free agent signings, some of those defenses in Pittsburgh were not built with much priority and it exposed those teams more often than not when it mattered most, teams that should have had more success. Coming to an organization that was built on, and had success on sound defensive personnel and from a system stand point, it would be nice to see some of that carried along with Shero's approach to building a team. We'll have to see what takes place, but it would be nice to see an adjustment on his philosophies on building defense here compared to Pittsburgh.
Shero was lucky to have two top 10 centers in the history of the NHL in their primes. I think he understands he doesn't have that here (Although Hischier/Hughes is going to be pretty damn good in for a solid 10 years). The Vatanen trade to me is him recognizing that impact defensemen are very important. And even since the Vatanen trade, he has been on record saying "Yeah I'd love to add a defenseman." I don't think he means bottom pairing either. He means a true top 4 guy. But again, he's not going to force it.
is james neal a contract we'd want to touch? potential 2LW, and take him at 50%? or is that too insane
I wouldn't touch it unless it came with a serious bonus, which it definitely won't. So no.