I’ve been wondering if MM considers hanging on to Swick. Of the older players - 04’s, 05’s and even the 06’s - I see Swick, Miseljevic, Sale (assuming he’s back), and Ellinas as the only “older players” to have the potential to put up relatively consistent numbers…..and it may remain to be seen how well Miseljevic does if he doesn’t have a “good enough” supporting cast. This also takes into consideration that Andonovski is traded away from the backend, further depleting the 05 group.
I don’t think we can realistically expect Bottineau and Mercer to ever be those offensive type of players unfortunately (although I suppose anything is possible).
One could make a case that we don’t care how ugly the results are on the ice this season, but I’m not 100% sure MM necessarily sees it that way….especially if the LW OA market is as unattractive (from a seller’s point) as to what dirty is pointing out. For the record, I personally favour a trade if the price is adequate.
As dirty said, if there’s a decent offer for Swick on the table, I take it now. As I said earlier, the risks involved in hanging onto Rehkopf until the deadline also apply to Swick and Andonovski, and Sale as well if he is returned.
I move all three sooner than later to reduce risk and maximize return.
As far as having a low number of vets on the team to help out the kids, there will be castoff vets from contending teams that we could get for a song if we think we need veteran experience in the lineup.
And where we end up this year in the standings means nothing to me (and despite what he says, MM making the Rehkopf trade now tells me he doesn’t much care either). Best case scenario is a top four pick. That player we take in the first round would be in his NHL draft year the season we try to host. It would be ideal for that player to be elite. Compare to Rehkopf a couple years ago and the contribution he made here in his draft year. He was a big part of our forward group that year.
With the scarcity of available OA right wingers this year, depending on the start Miseljevic has, there may be a market for him at the deadline as well.