I like the idea of Bonk, but if Chychrun is our biggest trading chip, then I’d hope we leverage that to address our biggest needs which are a good top 4 RD that can contribute this season and a goalie. I’m assuming Bonk won’t be ready to step into a NHL regular role right away.
Oh there’s no way I’m keeping Chychrun either way, just rebuild the left side completely.
I wasn't super impressed by Oliver Bonk at the WJC. I could be totally wrong based on limited viewings, but he seemed like a good skater but not overly physical, and while he can handle the puck and make decent passes he's not exactly a dangler either. Pothier would be my comp, so maybe a #4D on an average team? Am I totally off-base?
Just quoting myself here to add on...
Idk how I feel about that (I suppose it depends on the return). I suppose 31/32 and 12 for 7 would be appealing depending on who we could get at 12th.
Outside of the top-5 I'm almost always in favour of moving down and adding more ammo to the clip, and it's an especially good idea when the system is as barren as Ottawa's is today.
I definitely fit into the category of “limited viewings” when it comes to Bonk and most prospects. That’s why I said I “like the idea”.
Those are priorities 2 and 3. Culture change is #1. This roster has enough talent to be a solid playoff team but it’s been broken by Dorion.
Risto is definitely a cap dump but so is Chabot at this point. I’m getting the feeling you don’t like Laughton lol
Culture change will be addressed by a variety of methods some of which will be coaching versus players, the systems we play, what gets emphasized, etc. If our goaltending is as poor as it was last year, and our RD is as weak as its been for the last several years, I don’t think we’ll improve much. Toronto has tried to change their culture by moving in a few new players at the bottom of their roster as well, but things haven’t changed much. You are more optimistic than I am when it comes to adding a player like Laughton who would supposedly or hopefully change the culture. JMHO.
The entire sequence of shedding Murray’s contract (a miracle), then signing Korpisalo to a 5 year contract a year later is the stuff legends are made of.
Supposedly Boston would be willing to take Forsberg back (they will make him better). They’d still need to throw in something more worthwhile for me to accept that.
