DeBoer left the team in a lot better shape than we will be going into next year.
DeBoer left a couple pretty good OA’s that we were able to package in the sell off for good return in Mashinter and Shutron. In comparison, we’ll have Martin, Sop, and Motew. Decent but after comparing Mashinter/Martin, there’s no Shutron in the other two. But they should bring back something.
The returning 19 year old group was simply outstanding. (Bortuzzo, Kelly, Unice, Dzielski, and Timmins). We sold off some of those for good return. Our 04 group will be underwhelming in comparison. (Brzustewicz, Hamara, Parsons and not much else). But Hamara could go the way of Boedker (turn pro early). He didn’t return for his 19 year old season and unlike Boedker, Hamara can play AHL.
The 2008 draft class was decent. We went into that draft with: 1st, 3rd, 4th etc. Out of that draft, DeBoer came up with Skinner, Aleardi, Prince, Morrison, and Crescenzi. That was a decent haul.
Going into the next draft, if we’re done dealing, we have 1st, 1st, 3rd, 4th.
At worst, if MM should turn the combination of our two 1sts into what Skinner gave us. But since we have such a poor returning group, MM needs to hit it out of the park with these two 1sts.
Give us a Pinelli / Rehkopf comparable duo and that would take some of the bad smell away going forward. If one of those picks, or heaven forbid both turns out to be a LeBlanc or Valade, we may as well have not had the second 1st rounder to begin with.
I don’t see how we could acquire another high pick for this draft. Either now or during the week leading up to the draft. Anyone on this roster we won’t need now is worth a 2nd or likely even a 3rd. Could you package up Mercer or Zidlicky and an excess 04 to bring in a third? Maybe.
Historically, acquiring a 2nd or 3rd during the week of the draft, where only picks can be dealt, requires a distant 2nd + or distant 3rd +. We have no movable distant 2nds or 3rds left.
But it’s not all bad:
Brzustewicz should bring Kyrou return (2nd. 2nd. 3rd. 4th. 5th. + Decent 17 year old player).
Longacre still hasn’t committed anywhere yet. He could still come or his rights could be moved to a team he’ll report to.
Martin would bring good return. If he scores at a 40+ goal pace, as I think he should, could bring Diaco/Moore return (2nd. 3rd.).
Sop/Motew should bring something. (Today I’m think a 3rd + a mid round pick each). But what they bring should be determined by their play going forward this season. If Sop establishes himself as a bonefide top sixer, return could be a little more than we might think.
I’m not dealing Rehkopf until after 23-24. Unless the return is way high. But if we do deal him next year, 1.5 years of Rehkopf should at the very least be comparable to the Haight return. (2nd. 2nd. 2nd. 3rd. 3rd.). But IMO, 1.5 years of Rehkopf will be worth more. I don’t think Haight laces Rehkopf skates. No comparison.
