Speculation: Free Agent Frenzy Part V: Gorton is on McLeod Nine.

[NYR Viper]

I think of all our rookies, Lindgren has as good a chance as anyone to make the team.

Would not be surprised if he locked down a 3rd pairing spot at all.

I think we may be looking at him in the AHL for at least a half of a year. Something else to consider is he beginning of the season in the NHL may be a bit of a cluster considering there will be a new system installed and players may be learning on the fly. That's one of the reasons I'd rather see Hajek, Lindgren, Andersson and Chytil start in the AHL. See what some guys like Lettieri, O'Gara, Gilmour, Nieves, Fogarty, Holland show and then at the half-way point of the season see where the young kids stand

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

Ideal situation would be Smith being able to hold down a spot on the right side freeing up a spot on LD, and making Pionk/ADA battle for the 3RD spot

I don't wan't to pencil both in before the season even starts

 

[GeorgeKaplan]

He also played next Kreider and Zibanejad as the RW.

I honestly don’t remember that

 

[True Blue]

I don't think we see Lindgren or Hajek to start the season in the NHL. I think we do see (8) defensemen start the year in the NHL though.

Skjei-Pionk
Smith-Shattenkrik
Staal-ADA
O'Gara-Gilmour

That is exactly how I see it.

Another name, though not defensive, is Balesky. I think unless he bombs completely in camp, there is a good chance he is in the lineup on the 4th line.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

He also played next Kreider and Zibanejad as the RW.

Lias played with Zibanejad at the World Championship

Kreider-Zibanejad-Anderssson
Chytil-Hayes-Zuccarello
Spooner-Namestnikov-Buchnevich
Vesey-Nieves-Fast

 

[BBKers]

Kreider/Ziba/Buch
Chytil/Hayes/Zucca
Spooner/Names/Fast
Vesey/Lias/McLeod or Bellesky

Staal/Shatty
Skjei/Pionk
Smith/ADA
Claesson

Hank
Georgie

Is in theory what I think the team might look like. If no more moves are made. Which I seriously doubt

 

[TheTakedown]

Kreider/Ziba/Buch
Chytil/Hayes/Zucca
Spooner/Names/Fast
Vesey/Lias/McLeod or Bellesky

Staal/Shatty
Skjei/Pionk
Smith/ADA
Claesson

Hank
Georgie

Is in theory what I think the team might look like. If no more moves are made. Which I seriously doubt

Hear anything recently? That Lucic deal still in the works?

 

[Ghost of jas]

I honestly don’t remember that

It was one of the last games of the year.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Lias played with Zibanejad at the World Championship

Kreider-Zibanejad-Anderssson
Chytil-Hayes-Zuccarello
Spooner-Namestnikov-Buchnevich
Vesey-Nieves-Fast

Zucc played well with Kopitar.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Zucc played well with Kopitar.

Zuccarello for Brown (cap dump) + 1st + Kempe confirmed then

 

[Levitate]

Belesky is pretty bad, I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see him outplayed in camp. If he's on the roster IMO it's a "need veteran players!" type of move and not based on play

 

[BBKers]

Hear anything recently? That Lucic deal still in the works?

Have not heard anything for a while. Been isolated traveling and taking care of the baby the last weeks (got married a couple weeks ago after 13 years relationship - quite the party!). Going to Sweden next week so should hear a bit then.

 

[GregSirico]

This Artemi Panarin situation just keeps getting more and more interesting. Basically CBJ has a 2 month window to move him to a team that can sign him long term or else he will just be a rental and CBJ's return price drops significantly. I also buy into the chatter at the draft that he wants to go to NY, LA, or FL.

 

[Tawnos]

Belesky is pretty bad, I definitely wouldn't be surprised to see him outplayed in camp. If he's on the roster IMO it's a "need veteran players!" type of move and not based on play

More like a “the kids need more seasoning and we need bodies” type of move.

One thing that gets overlooked is that this isn’t really a top-grading situation. We shouldn’t be simply be taking the 13 best forwards in camp. For example, if it’s between Howden and Beleskey, with Howden performing better, but the team feels he needs some AHL experience, Beleskey will be on the Rangers and Howden in Hartford. Oversimplified but you get the idea.

 

[Algernop Kreider]

Zuccarello for Brown (cap dump) + 1st + Kempe confirmed then

That seems reasonable without the cap dump, but not even close with Brown attached.

 

[Levitate]

More like a “the kids need more seasoning and we need bodies” type of move.

One thing that gets overlooked is that this isn’t really a top-grading situation. We shouldn’t be simply be taking the 13 best forwards in camp. For example, if it’s between Howden and Beleskey, with Howden performing better, but the team feels he needs some AHL experience, Beleskey will be on the Rangers and Howden in Hartford. Oversimplified but you get the idea.

Eh I just think there are probably guys like Nieves who aren't more than 4th liners at the NHL level but who could/should be given a shot over Beleksy

 

[kovazub94]

Ideal situation would be Smith being able to hold down a spot on the right side freeing up a spot on LD, and making Pionk/ADA battle for the 3RD spot

I don't wan't to pencil both in before the season even starts

I think you got it backwards. How's this an "ideal" situation if one of ADA / Pionk can't beat Smith for a roster spot?

Hajek and Lindgen should be just fine getting minutes and continuing to develop in Hartford while Smith regains his form to be a capable top4 at LD. Then we have

Skjei - Shattenkirk
Smith - Pionk
Staal - ADA
Gilmour / Claesson / O'Gara

More options this way and kids are not force-feed NHL level hockey after just making a jump from juniors / college.

 

[nyr2k2]

Kreider/Ziba/Buch
Chytil/Hayes/Zucca
Spooner/Names/Fast
Vesey/Lias/McLeod or Bellesky

Staal/Shatty
Skjei/Pionk
Smith/ADA
Claesson

Hank
Georgie

Is in theory what I think the team might look like. If no more moves are made. Which I seriously doubt

That's tough--Chytil get Hayes and Zuccarello whereas Andersson gets Vesey and garbage? I'd rather Andersson be the 1C in Hartford than play with those line mates.

 

[Kaapo Cabana]

I think you got it backwards. How's this an "ideal" situation if one of ADA / Pionk can't beat Smith for a roster spot?

Hajek and Lindgen should be just fine getting minutes and continuing to develop in Hartford while Smith regains his form to be a capable top4 at LD. Then we have

Skjei - Shattenkirk
Smith - Pionk
Staal - ADA
Gilmour / Claesson / O'Gara

More options this way and kids are not force-feed NHL level hockey after just making a jump from juniors / college.

Smith in 2017 was a better Defenseman than either ADA or Pionk have ever been. Ideally he regains that form on the right side setting up 2 healthy competitions. 1 for 3RD and one for 3LD.

The last thing I want are kids coming in here knowing they have a spot. If Smith can't play the right side then Pionk and ADA are basically guaranteed a spot. while the LD depth chart probably includes 0 rookies.

If Lindgren/Hajek can't make it, we have Claesson. If Pionk/ADA falter, we have Kampfer

Smith on the right balances the depth chart

 

[Webster]

Zucc played well with Kopitar.

Draisaitl...new buddy

 

[kovazub94]

Smith in 2017 was a better Defenseman than either ADA or Pionk have ever been. Ideally he regains that form on the right side setting up 2 healthy competitions. 1 for 3RD and one for 3LD.

The last thing I want are kids coming in here knowing they have a spot. If Smith can't play the right side then Pionk and ADA are basically guaranteed a spot. while the LD depth chart probably includes 0 rookies.

If Lindgren/Hajek can't make it, we have Claesson. If Pionk/ADA falter, we have Kampfer

Smith on the right balances the depth chart

It shouldn't be about balanced competition. Our core prospects competing for LD have time cushion to continue to develop in Hartford while Pionk and especially ADA do not.

If Smith regains his 2017 form (I assume you mean 2016-2017 season) then he could play either LD or RD, right? So, again, if Smith is playing RD then ADA and Pionk on the right side are worse then whoever competes on the left, which would not be a good news for these two as NYR prospects.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

That seems reasonable without the cap dump, but not even close with Brown attached.

1 year of Zuccarello for a 1st+Kempe? I don't think LA does that. Anyway, the cap dump is neccessary because of their financial situation.

 

[Algernop Kreider]

1 year of Zuccarello for a 1st+Kempe? I don't think LA does that. Anyway, the cap dump is neccessary because of their financial situation.

Zuccarello > Nash
Kempe < Spooner + Lindgren

You could argue which camp dump is worse between Brown and Beleskey, but I'm inclined to think that Brown's season was a fluke, and he's signed for 2 years more than Beleskey.

If the Kings acquired Zucc he would immediately be their best winger unless they're really confident in Kovalchuk. That doesn't come cheap.

 

[Tawnos]

Eh I just think there are probably guys like Nieves who aren't more than 4th liners at the NHL level but who could/should be given a shot over Beleksy

I don’t disagree, but a player like Nieves is quite a bit further along in development than Howden. At this stage, if he can’t outplay Beleskey, he doesn’t deserve to make the team ahead of him.

 

[Fitzy]

This Artemi Panarin situation just keeps getting more and more interesting. Basically CBJ has a 2 month window to move him to a team that can sign him long term or else he will just be a rental and CBJ's return price drops significantly. I also buy into the chatter at the draft that he wants to go to NY, LA, or FL.

I'd play the waiting game and see if he makes it to UFA.