I’m going way off topic here . For possible bottom 6 options in the offseason , what do you think we should do . Who do we keep amd who do we let walk / trade / not qualify ?
Who are the locked in , for sure , bottom 6 guys and where do they play (3rd or 4th line )
Id really like to see if we can get Ross Colton off of Tampa as one piece . RFA currently making 1.1 mil. Shouldnt break the bank , perfect bottom 6 player. Grew up in NJ and was a huge Devils fan. Versatile , skilled , has good size . I can’t see Tampa being able to keep him but then again, his salary shouldnt be too much over league min to make that much difference for them?
What do we do with McLeod , Bastian , Wood , Sharangovich , Boqvist , Haula , Foote , Thompson , Clarke , all options for the bottom 6. Does Tatar get extended and stay in the top 6? Does Holtz make the roster amd take a spot , making one of the guys I listed expendable?
Wood - Miles should be a lock to leave. He's expensive, he's terrible, and he's a winger,
McLeod - McLeod I would like to see go, because I don't think he brings all that much, but he's been better recently and he's our best PKer, so if he can stay cheap, I'd give him another couple years and not feel too awful about it. Lazar being here for 2 more years might show him the door, though. He's not capable of playing up from the 4th line.
Shara - Shara has to be gone. Can't afford him, probably.
Boqvist - This is Boqvists best season to date, he looks like a legitimate 3rd liner and has positional flexibility. Plus he shouldn't become too expensive, he's only got 16 points.
Haula - Would love to bring him back if he's cheap, but ultimately I suspect he's replaceable.
Thompson - He'll be in camp fighting for a spot, but ultimately I just don't think he's very good.
Clarke - In camp also, but I think he will probably end up being the favorite for the Wood spot.
Beyond the bottom 6 guys, I'd like to try and bring back Tatar. He's 32 now, has made like 40M, and may be looking to settle down if somebody doesn't come in with a long deal. He really drives play like you wouldn't believe, and every line he's on looks f***ing great. I wouldn't want to sign him for like 5 years, because that's just a logjam, but he's a smart enough guy to remain useful even as he slows down.
