I am expecting that we will find out about HB on 28 August. Past history has always been that there is a big announcement just as training camp is to start.
With the fact that there has been no news and that, again, the USHL treated him like he had the plague or was the worst hockey player in the world by not drafting him, I think there was/is something already done.
As to defence I still do not see the need for Mayer at this stage of the season. I think that any trade at this point would be for a 2nd year going into 3rd center. possibly 1-1 or include Smythe.
The challenge with Smythe is that he has not played a full season, and like OMG said about Sirman, he is on a team that has a pretty set Defence.
If we are building the cupboard, then I see them staying with what they have until they see what they have for backup goaltending, Then it is a case of who do they get the better offer for.
We have on paper 3 centers in Gardiner, Uronen and Whitehead. Then we look at Barlas Foster and Dever, and we can start with what we have and see how it works.
Using the players we have in camp allows everyone to make the team. with the possible exception of Smyth
Sirman has, the same value as Belanger did so he may be a deadline deal.
I think you may be looking at it slightly short sighted.
1> The reason to rebuild the draft pick cupboard is to have the trade assets. BUT, if they essentially trade Brzustewicz and an expendable winger for a 2 year first line centre, you don’t need the trade chips. They can trade off some expendable players because the roster is so deep that they can organically add the trade chips. Plus, with a second first rounder next year as part of the compensation for the defected player, they could effectively trade their 2nd rounder next year and it is replaced immediately by the comp pick.
2> If they acquire the first line centre as an 18 year old, all of a sudden it completely changes the outlook of the roster. This isn’t a team with a player like Owen Beck on it that when traded will fetch a sizeable ransom. We are talking about an OA goalie, an NHL unsigned OA winger, and a few expendable pieces on the back end. Those assets will not restock the draft picks.
3> Uronen is a right winger. Effectively, the 67’s have Gardiner and Whitehead at centre entering the season plus a bunch of wingers they can try out as centres. Two of which failed in the past.
So, in light of the fact they could end up with a bonafide first line centre by using mostly the picks obtained in the Brzustewicz deal (and adding another key piece from the depth on the wings), the team could be instantly transported into the contender category. With both Uronen and Keebler signing and committing to Ottawa, they could easily include Kelly in a deal for the needed centre.
They could potentially have two OA spots open if they free up the starters position for MacKenzie by trading Donoso. They could potentially fill the gap on the first D-Man pairing with a kid like Mayer at a short price. They’d still have an OA spot available.
Then look at how wide open the East is this season.
Then look at the 19 year olds next year and ask yourself whether trading a kids like Gardiner and Pinelli next season at the deadline and what kind of return they’d get vs trading Beck and Donoso this year. Big difference. Huge difference. With seemingly so many teams in the East built for next year, imagine what the market would turn out like if Ottawa were to make those guys available?
I’ve always argued for a slight rebuild this season because we needed to restock the pick cabinet. But, I didn’t consider their first rounder defecting. I don’t consider how weak the east was this year vs the following year. I didn’t factor the possibility of Rohrer not returning which is costing Ottawa significant trade value. Now that it “seems” like certain elements are unfolding, I do see a pathway to be able to contend AND restock draft picks next season.
