That is who I would vote for, as well.
I am mildly surprised that someone voted for Adams before Pegula.
Put him back on Jack’s wing and let him fire BBs while someone else does the wall work.
That is who I would vote for, as well.
I am mildly surprised that someone voted for Adams before Pegula.
Yes. And there is still the possibility of doing more, particularly in trade. Granted with how he has gone about his job, he’ll be trying to make trades next summer and finally succeeding after spending a year where he should’ve been adding sand to his lineup last summer and doing nothing, or adding a legit three both of the last two summers. And I don’t even know if the guy that he just signed is a legit three.
Full marks to him for going out and doing what he said that he would do. I think people have just lost patience with the idea that their content to think internal improvement is going to solve all of their problems. That’s the kernel at the heart of this. He’s trying very hard to sell the guys that he’s assembled as his top six forwards and top four defenseman are good enough without changing coaching voices around them or the personnel around them.
The last bolded part is dead on for me. Most people thought that he should bring in a top 6 forward or a top 4 dman, and now they're grading him against their own expectations. KA said he would be aggressive, he did not say which pieces he would be aggressive for, and as I previously mentioned he told us where he wanted to add.
He thinks his top 6 and top 4 are good enough. He's assembled a true grinding line. He acquired legit goalie depth.
So in my mind the interesting debates for his roster construction are the following:
Just thinking about #1, I like the top 6. I think Benson is gonna blow up, people may think I'm delusional but I think he's a 60 point player this year. And Quinn was my prediction for our breakout player last year before he got injured. So if (and that's a big if), they can stay healthy, there's a very real chance that Skinner's and Mitts' production can be compensated by those two.
- Are the top 6 forwards good enough? (Tage/Tuch/Peterka/Cozens/Quinn/Benson)
- Are the top 4 dmen good enough?
- Can Krebs handle the 3C role? (I was going to ask "Is it smart that KA assumes he'll be able to handle that role", but I think we know what everyone's response to that would be)
I don’t think your delusional, but I think it may be premature to expect that big of a jump from Benson this year. I think he lacks the skating speed and shot to do that. Tuch had an inconsistent year last year and at times floated through games. It was reminiscent of his days on VGK. I think Cozens is a better match up C then play driver. So as to #1 I don’t think they are good enough. Peterka also cooled a bit when he went up the line up because he was deferring to the other two more. I would have liked to seen a more established 1/2 w to to take Skinner’s spot. A healthy Quinn should make up for some of the production.The last bolded part is dead on for me. Most people thought that he should bring in a top 6 forward or a top 4 dman, and now they're grading him against their own expectations. KA said he would be aggressive, he did not say which pieces he would be aggressive for, and as I previously mentioned he told us where he wanted to add.
He thinks his top 6 and top 4 are good enough. He's assembled a true grinding line. He acquired legit goalie depth.
So in my mind the interesting debates for his roster construction are the following:
Just thinking about #1, I like the top 6. I think Benson is gonna blow up, people may think I'm delusional but I think he's a 60 point player this year. And Quinn was my prediction for our breakout player last year before he got injured. So if (and that's a big if), they can stay healthy, there's a very real chance that Skinner's and Mitts' production can be compensated by those two.
- Are the top 6 forwards good enough? (Tage/Tuch/Peterka/Cozens/Quinn/Benson)
- Are the top 4 dmen good enough?
- Can Krebs handle the 3C role? (I was going to ask "Is it smart that KA assumes he'll be able to handle that role", but I think we know what everyone's response to that would be)
If only a local reporter had the courage to point that out.if Adams was indeed poking around on players like Ehlers and Necas I think it shows he doesn’t actually believe his top six is good enough yet
I would agree with this hot take if other teams were moved their 1sts for a roster player. Add in the type of impact player that you expect most likely has a No Trade Clause.Utilizing your 1st rounder(close to a top 10 pick), to acquire an immediate help for the roster which is what ALL reporting was saying, is something I would say is a splash. Especially at the standard Kevyn has handled prior business, I would say would be a splash-like move.
Of course we all would like GMKA to make smart deals, but his inaction from years prior where holes could've been addressed, where they could've become competitive, (which could've shifted the perception of the organization favorably), is at the 'chickens have come home to roost' point.
This unfortunately leads to those become desperate in an effort to hold onto their job. Trading a 2nd Rounder for a 4th line RFA, where Malenstyn probably didn't have many suitors looking for his services, feels like desperation to me.
Unfortunately, the best result we can hope for is having a weak playoff team that gets easily bounced in the 1st rd. I know most of us are starved for playoffs and would settle for that, but I absolutely will HATE to have a Leafs 2.0 type of team.
- I think the top 6 forwards are skilled enough, yeah I really do. I mean a lot of it has to come down to if we can stay healthy because we’re screwed if we have multiple guys go down for extended periods (but any team would) but if our top 6 is
Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
Zucker - Cozens - Quinn
Then I think that’s a good enough top 6.
2. Individually the top 4 is great, but not when 3 of the 4 are the same types of players. The only way this d core is going to be successful is if the forwards buy into the defensive game too. I love that we have an actual defensive line now but we’re going to need the other 3 lines to actually buy in if we’re going to have any real chance. Far too many times guys left wide open in the slot or guys just floating around. Can’t have it. Espically with the make up of that defense. Can they be successful if that happens, of course. But they’re going to look bad if the forwards don’t give a shit still and that’s just how it goes.
3. Unless Krebs steps up this year in some way than no, that third line is gonna be the anchor for us. I really hope he can but have we even seen enough to suggest that?
It sounded like they were close on Ehlers but the extension was the hang-up. Then it sounded like.they touched base after the draft to keep in touch. I wonder if Ehler's agent comes back a little to reality after see the big spending season, not really spend to the gill's on a player like Ehlers. That may lead some credence to getting a deal done.if Adams was indeed poking around on players like Ehlers and Necas I think it shows he doesn’t actually believe his top six is good enough yet
We have no idea how this team will react to the playoffs. It really comes down to how does the top 6 handle the physical play and the "go till you can't go anymore" mentality. If they fold like the leafs, then we are in it. They could also elevate like the Panthers did, I could really see Cozens enjoying the extra time after the whistle.Unfortunately, the best result we can hope for is having a weak playoff team that gets easily bounced in the 1st rd. I know most of us are starved for playoffs and would settle for that, but I absolutely will HATE to have a Leafs 2.0 type of team.
- I think the top 6 forwards are skilled enough, yeah I really do. I mean a lot of it has to come down to if we can stay healthy because we’re screwed if we have multiple guys go down for extended periods (but any team would) but if our top 6 is
Peterka - Thompson - Tuch
Zucker - Cozens - Quinn
Then I think that’s a good enough top 6.
2. Individually the top 4 is great, but not when 3 of the 4 are the same types of players. The only way this d core is going to be successful is if the forwards buy into the defensive game too. I love that we have an actual defensive line now but we’re going to need the other 3 lines to actually buy in if we’re going to have any real chance. Far too many times guys left wide open in the slot or guys just floating around. Can’t have it. Espically with the make up of that defense. Can they be successful if that happens, of course. But they’re going to look bad if the forwards don’t give a shit still and that’s just how it goes.
3. Unless Krebs steps up this year in some way than no, that third line is gonna be the anchor for us. I really hope he can but have we even seen enough to suggest that?
I'd say there might be some potential for this team to play more like FL, but that won't be for the next couple years. They need a lot more experience and weight for that.We have no idea how this team will react to the playoffs. It really comes down to how does the top 6 handle the physical play and the "go till you can't go anymore" mentality. If they fold like the leafs, then we are in it. They could also elevate like the Panthers did, I could really see Cozens enjoying the extra time after the whistle.
It's just a projection if that player were to get a contract. Pavelski is on the list too even though he's retiring.Okposo isn't retiring?
He also fits with the speed theme of FA so far.He would be a great addition especially since he can also play wing
Yeah, the top 2 lines and the 4th line look good but idk what rheb3rd will look like unless Krebs takes a leapi think the top 6 could and will be 'good enough". BUT, they don't have the complete game breaker (and not all teams do). They don't have a 1st team all-star (McJesus, Pasta, Crosby, Ovie, Matthews, Tkachuk, Pettersson, or even Eichel), so that makes me really want to have a 3rd line that can SCORE. Krebs will not bring that.
It's like have two modest/solid scoring lines and then 2 grinder lines. if you wanna role with the top 6 as stated, then 3rd line needs to be like 05-06 Sabres 3rd line where everyone on that line can pot anywhere from 20-30 goals.
"Good enough" and "as good as it could be" are different standards though. Can always improve, but that doesn't mean we don't have enough now.if Adams was indeed poking around on players like Ehlers and Necas I think it shows he doesn’t actually believe his top six is good enough yet
As things stand, there will be a lot on Benson's shoulders. Zucker is the mid 6 insurance if Benson can't carry the load, but I share your confidence in him.Just thinking about #1, I like the top 6. I think Benson is gonna blow up, people may think I'm delusional but I think he's a 60 point player this year. And Quinn was my prediction for our breakout player last year before he got injured. So if (and that's a big if), they can stay healthy, there's a very real chance that Skinner's and Mitts' production can be compensated by those two.