I read the Habs were looking for a top 6 player and Lupul would fill that option, rumours are Thomas and Eller and if Winnik goes too along with Lupul hopefully another 1st rd pick that would be 29th so we would have 3 firsts 30, 29 and at the moment 5th
Devane and Biggs aren't "crap" in the sense Ross, McLaren and Orr are. Devane may challenge for a spot on the 4th line, and Biggs still has another 2 or 3 years before we give up on him, and even if he doesn't get better, he's still able to fight for a 4th line spot in the future. Ross would have too if not for the PED's.
Now it's not great, but it's hardly crap if they become effective 4th liners who are able to play 8-12 tough minutes a night and play a shutdown role. Neither are black holes offensively given the shot either. I think they can become good 4th liners, which isn't great, especially for their draft positions, but it's not "crap".
But I agree, taking those NCAA players and keeping them there was a good move, especially since we probably won't have many spots open in the Marlies after we acquire some good prospects. Though we may purge some of our old prospects too (like Devane and Biggs), so it's really unknown.
Does new regime mean everyone, including prospects from the old regime, are on the hot seat?
I actually didn't mind going NCAA heavy last draft.
We have a lot of crap in our system that we need to skim our (Ross, Devane, Biggs, etc) and then players like Orr and McLaren taking up spots. NCAA players have 4 seasons before we need to sign them instead of 3.
So it gives us some extra time to really clean out the fridge a bit.
Bozak for a 3rd and 4th?
What the hell?
We could easily get more
I wouldn't mind keeping Lupul for now. The guy plays hard when he's healthy. And the fact that he isn't usually healthy helps the tank effort. I think Lupul's value would actually be higher when his contract is almost up; i.e. if he's healthy for the last 1/2 year of his contract leading in the playoffs, teams may pay a lot for some cheap scoring help for the playoffs.
I really hope this doesn't mean that Phaneuf is the one they're thinking of keeping.
You guys will think I am nuts...I would keep Winnik....He has heart passion and grit.........Something this team will desperately need. They need to try and resign him this offseason if they trade him before the deadline.