GDT: Free Agent Frenzy Part III - Looking for Mr. Centerman

[GregSirico]

I just think this is shuffling deck chairs, we weaken our second pair to strengthen our second line. I'd much rather give hayes the chance to see if he can improve on a 50 point season with more time and let the young D develop either on the 3rd pair or in another league. Plus cost control will be vital on this team, taking on another 6+ million dollar contract will be tough, especially with the RFA's coming next year.

I'm not in that boat. I think we have spent most of Hank's years with the musical chairs of centerman and trying to win with depth and role guys (which is needed) but we never had any top line strength down the middle. Until we fix that, I can't see us upsetting the Pens.

 

[bsbarmchairgm]

There seem to be some concerns regarding Grigorenko/Nestrasil.

From https://www.milehighhockey.com/2017/6/26/15878498/more-addition-by-subtraction-rfa-purge-2017:
"Mikhail Grigorenko still hasn't been able to put together the consistency of skill we see flashes of occasionally and his poor skating is yet another reason for the staff to consider moving on. I will say this, his QO would have been $1.3M 1-way, which certainly isn't appealing from the Avs side so there's the possibility they re-sign him at something like half that if he's willing to take it. If anyone else wants to up the ante then good on them."

On Nestrasil:
https://www.canescountry.com/2017/6...fer-brock-mcginn-jake-chelios-phil-digiuseppe
https://www.canescountry.com/2017/4...andrej-nestrasil-performance-review-and-grade
https://www.canescountry.com/2017/3...e-checkers-czech-republic-world-championships

And does Jokinen still have what it takes?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'm not in that boat. I think we have spent most of Hank's years with the musical chairs of centerman and trying to win with depth and role guys (which is needed) but we never had any top line strength down the middle. Until we fix that, I can't see us upsetting the Pens.

Yes, but those elite centers are never available. Stepan is the best center that has been traded in years.

 

[LeetchisGod]

Could Boo, Tambo, or Anderson step into 3C within the next two seasons

Not sold on either one of those guys. They've shown very little in my opinion.

 

[nyr2k2]

Could Boo, Tambo, or Anderson step into 3C within the next two seasons

Andersson may be able to.

Nieves probably steps in as a 4C but IDK if the offense will be there for a 3C.

I don't think Tambellini becomes an NHL player.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Tambellini looks more and more like a career AHL player. Nieves needs to stay healthy, Fogarty had a down season and I don't see him make it either.

 

[GregSirico]

Yes, but those elite centers are never available. Stepan is the best center that has been traded in years.

Yeah, you're probably right about that.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

 

[Fansince1992]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

Ding Ding Ding

 

[GregSirico]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

Not saying it can't happen, but there's some risk there and a time element. Maybe it happens in 2/3Y?

 

[Avery16]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

This would certainly be the path of least resistance

 

[GregSirico]

This would certainly be the path of least resistance

Also the path of lowest probability when factoring in chance of success in those roles.

 

[Hire Sather]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

Yes, but depth must be signed in case that doesn't happen. Can't bank on that working out.

 

[Fugazy]

Yes, but depth must be signed in case that doesn't happen. Can't bank on that working out.

Agreed. I'd rather have those guys waiting in the wings for depth purposes.

 

[eco's bones]

Nieves might be able to handle a 4th line center slot. Tambellini has no clue how to defend. When his team doesn't have the puck he's lost.

 

[Avery16]

Could Anderson step in this season?

 

[NYR]

A defense first defenseman with size and great skating ability who in his first NHL season puts up 39 points playing 3rd pair minutes. Should we add that he's cheap and controllable for the next several years? I'm not moving Skjei--not unless we get something super sweet back and ****ing Duchene or Galchenyuk ain't sweet enough. I mean if there's a trajectory for Skjei's game going higher we could have a big big star on our hands.

IMO Skjei right now is the most valuable asset we have on our team. I would trade McDonagh before I traded Skjei.

That's what I'm talkin bout!

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

I know this isn't baseball and I am not trying to be Billy Beane here but...

Stepan: 55 points
Zibanejad: 37 points
Hayes: 49 points
Lindberg: 20 points

We are going with Zibanejad, Hayes, Andersson and Nieves down the middle, that's a lot to ask for, to replace 75 points we are losing with Stepan and Lindberg. Zibanejad was out with an injury and might hit 50 if he stays healthy, and assuming Hayes gets 50 as well, that leaves 60-ish points we need to somehow address. Can Andersson and Nieves put up the production to compensate for that?

 

[Fugazy]

Could Anderson step in this season?

There's an outside chance, especially if they are stretched thin with center depth.

 

[GregSirico]

I know this isn't baseball and I am not trying to be Billy Beane here but...

Stepan: 55 points
Zibanejad: 37 points
Hayes: 49 points
Lindberg: 20 points

We are going with Zibanejad, Hayes, Andersson and Nieves down the middle, that's a lot to ask for, to replace 75 points we are losing with Stepan and Lindberg. Zibanejad was out with an injury and might hit 50 if he stays healthy, and assuming Hayes gets 50 as well, that leaves 60-ish points we need to somehow address. Can Andersson and Nieves put up the production to compensate for that?

No chance IMHO and we should be IMPROVING from Stepan and Lindbergs production.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

There's an outside chance, especially if they are stretched thin with center depth.

He did play well for Husk in Sweden during the play-offs. Playing pro-hockey and being very visible in the play-offs is a good sign

 

[Avery16]

Lindberg was an overqualified 4C who will do great as Vegas' 3C. You don't really improve from that. Stepan had room for improvement, but that is the price we pay for drastically improving our defense from the ****show it was last season.

 

[Synergy27]

No chance IMHO and we should be IMPROVING from Stepan and Lindbergs production.

If Zibanejad stays healthy he will top Stepan's production for sure. I know we all have PTSD, but if the Rangers PP isn't leaps and bounds better this year, there is something seriously, seriously wrong. Zibanejad stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of an improved PP an area where Stepan always struggled.

My concern is the trickle down effect on the lineup. I'm not convinced Hayes repeats his production playing harder minutes. It would be a miracle if Andersson stepped in and played to Lindberg's level right away.

This team 100% still needs a proven center even if everyone stays healthy, which we know they won't. Who's it gonna be?

 

[GregSirico]

If Zibanejad stays healthy he will top Stepan's production for sure. I know we all have PTSD, but if the Rangers PP isn't leaps and bounds better this year, there is something seriously, seriously wrong. Zibanejad stands to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of an improved PP an area where Stepan always struggled.

My concern is the trickle down effect on the lineup. I'm not convinced Hayes repeats his production playing harder minutes. It would be a miracle if Andersson stepped in and played to Lindberg's level right away.

This team 100% still needs a proven center even if everyone stays healthy, which we know they won't. Who's it gonna be?

Which is why I want to find a way to plug someone like a Mika 2.0 into the top 6 to move Hayes down to 3.

 

[haohmaru]

Best case is for Zbad and Hayes to take the next step and become #1 and #2 centers, then Andersonn stepping right in for the 3C spot, and Nieves taking the 4C job.

I think they drafted Andersonn because they feel like he's got a legitimate shot to make the team this season.