Is that all?They’re a Barkov/Eichel and another top 6 winger away

Is that all?They’re a Barkov/Eichel and another top 6 winger away
"Doomed." I mean, yes, the franchise is in a better place than it has been -- to damn with faint praise. It unfortunately doesn't mean "contending for the Stanley Cup" even if you truly believe Yurov is coming in like Sergei Fedorov or even Michkov or Demidov. Put aside that unlikely scenario and ask, what are the chances Kaprizov plays 82 games for the first time? What are the chances JEE plays 60?
I tried to make the optimistic case for the Wild this playoffs but they blew it against a team that was barely competitive against the Skinner/Pickard Oilers. Sure, Buium is a legit prospect and others may be too -- including Jiricek -- but every team in the west has young players they are plugging in. Utah is going to be a big free agent destination. Chicago is adding talent.
Is Guerin going to get a much better player than Rossi in return? At best, he'll get a Rossi-level player because that's how the NHL trade market works. One step forward, one step back.
Ya, but 46 games played is really bad. I don't doubt his heart, but the guy takes a beating, and I would not be shocked if all those lower body injuries start to affect his speed. Hopefully I am wrong, and he comes back at plays 75 games next year... he will probably be a big part of the Olympic team, so will do double duty there, with the extra wear and tear.Is that really fair about JEE playing 60 games? He's only missed significant time 2 season out of his 8. He's nowhere near the Brodin, Parise, Spurgeon group of yearly LTIR stints.
Agreed. The COVID years make it look worse than it is, but he was mostly healthy through those years. He misses ~5 games per year, this year was an outlier, and hopefully far from a new normal. He may miss more than 5 per year from now on, but probably not 20 per year.Is that really fair about JEE playing 60 games? He's only missed significant time 2 season out of his 8. He's nowhere near the Brodin, Parise, Spurgeon group of yearly LTIR stints.
I think if they had the first thing, they wouldn't necessarily need the second, though it would also be nice.They’re a Barkov/Eichel and another top 6 winger away
Don't need him to play 82. 78 is fine.what are the chances Kaprizov plays 82 games for the first time?
Maybe not. I certainly think they’d be legit contenders if you threw a top 10 center on the team. I was mostly going on this:I think if they had the first thing, they wouldn't necessarily need the second, though it would also be nice.
Can't believe what Duchene signed for. P/PG Center at 4.5M? Slim pickings for BG in the FA market. Might be better to go into the season with extra cap space, and jump on trade opportunities during the season with teams desperate to shed cap.
Hockey UFA's are a pretty unappealing bunch, in general. Hitting on an Eric Steal type signing is pretty rare.
Is that really fair about JEE playing 60 games? He's only missed significant time 2 season out of his 8. He's nowhere near the Brodin, Parise, Spurgeon group of yearly LTIR stints.
The franchise is in the healthiest place it has ever been. I don’t get all the negativity. The buyouts are behind us. We are a lock to have a good lineup next year with a half dozen really good prospects capable of providing internal upside. All indications are we are in for a very entertaining season![]()
It makes sense to me. He's 34 and wants to chase a Cup. He's still getting some buyout money from NSH too. He's played for 5 teams and 3 of them couldn't wait to get rid of him.
I think this year is the last of it.Isn’t Duchene still pocketing 6mil/yr from the Preds buyouts? I thought that’s why he was playing on cheap contracts currently…
Just next season for the big buyout pay IIRC.Isn’t Duchene still pocketing 6mil/yr from the Preds buyouts? I thought that’s why he was playing on cheap contracts currently…
Just realized, we were a better 2021 draft away from essentially covering your spots.Maybe not. I certainly think they’d be legit contenders if you threw a top 10 center on the team. I was mostly going on this:
Ek ~ Bennett
Rossi ~ Lundell
Boldy ~ Reinhart
Kaprizov ~ Tkachuk
Spurgeon ~ Ekblad
Faber ~ Jones
Brodin ~ Forsling
Gus ~ Bob
In a vacuum those seem even overall, even if the exact mappings aren’t always even. But, we’re still missing Verhaege and Marchand and Barkov
would be fun. That’s a team I could get behind. I feel like we have been average at drafting under Brackett, but would’ve hoped to hit a few more times.Just realized, we were a better 2021 draft away from essentially covering your spots.
Johnston over Wallstedt
Knies over Peart
Johnston obviously isn't Barkov (few are) but there's your 1C and 2W right there.
Kaprizov - Johnston - Zuccarello
Knies - Eriksson Ek - Boldy
Ohgren/Foligno - Rossi - Hartman
Do I know how to fit Johnston at $8.4M, Knies at probably $8M and Rossi at $7M in? I do not, but that's just details.