I think we all suspect a move is coming sooner...maybe even today. We're closing in though and I think as the season has gone on we've found ourselves with a few needs.
1. Goaltending
Andersen going back to last season hasn't been providing anything more than league after goaltending at best. I don't think he is someone that could take us all the way or steal a game. I don't know how they'll address this in-season though.
2. A quality 3rd line centre
Engvall has had a run with it and although he looks better then he did at the start of the season, I remain unconvinced. I would have loved Staal but apparently he doesn't like Canada anymore.
3. A top 6 to 9 forward
Thornton isn't up for the big minutes consistently. Maybe Simmonds goes back with JT and 88 and it works out but we could use someone else just in case, ideally someone that is a clear upgrade. Ideally a mix of grit, higher end offensive capabilities than some like Kerfoot or Mikhayev and not bad defensively. A tall order.
4. 3rd pairing defenseman
When Dermott has a bad night, it's real bad. The problem is we can't shelter him much more than we do. It might make sense to get someone reliable. Hutton? Pysyk? Hanley? Merrill?
1) Agreed goaltending is the #1 need yet it likely won't get filled unless there's deal(s) to be made there; biggest need but by far the most difficult to fill & accomplish. If it looks even worse down the stretch than it does now
, a quality goalie is put on the block (e.x. Ullmark),
& there's a legitimate taker on Fred I think it happens. Those scenarios aren't unrealistic and I think it becomes more likely as we get closer to a couple weeks out of the deadline rather than the TDL. I don't know if anyone has mentioned this but I wonder if that Lehtonen for G Vehvilainen trade has a little to do with the possibility of it more so than playoff goaltending depth, specifically for the fact that if Andersen is dealt we would need to go at least 2 weeks with a healthy Campbell and Hutchinson. Vehvilainen would provide some 3rd string/backup insurance there especially if Campbell ever went down during that time, we wouldn't have to dress Hutchinson-Woll on any particular night(s).
2) Don't agree on the 3rd line centre need, maybe the forward(s) we add can play 3C in addition to wing, especially if Kerfoot is moved out.
3) yup the top 7 forward, top 6 to top 9, whatever you want to call it forward for sure. Think it's essential they can play left side. If Kerfoot is moved out, I think we might actually get 2 of these. One to play top 6 lw, the other 4th lw with at least one of the 2 capable of playing 3C and pk. If say Engvall falters or struggles maybe one plays there.
4) We need defensive depth despite what some may say. Forwards are stronger than our D, and forward depth (outside of our 4 lines) is better than our defensive depth as it stands. We only have 1 defensive defensemen for depth and that in Marincin. I completely agree we need to get a 3rd pairing guy, a guy with a good defensive game, whether or not he consistently takes Dermott's spot, it would be fine if Dermott was slightly better but ideal if he were an upgrade. Someone like Jon Merrill, or Ben Hutton, Michael Del Zotto, Kurtis McDermid, Jordie Benn, Matt Irwin. Maybe in a Granlund deal we get Ben Harpur as a throw-in/free but not as the primary depth D, secondary.
Ideally we get a defensive d that's better than Dermott but at least better than Sandin.
