No offense but moving off of liljegren is dumb
The way he is playing is dumb. If he is pouting because Sandin got traded, then he needs to go too.
Versteeg thinks he has something with Keefe. Thinks he could be upset for being taken off PP1, and Marner playing 7+ minutes more than him. Time to move him in June.
Trading or releasing Lily makes no sense, especially after moving out Sandin
The poster you are quoting is referring to Liljegren...
Thanks @1specter. That's how I was tracking it as well, that he was referring to Liljegren.
Very good post. When you sit back and see what was actually moved and signed it shows how tight it is when you dont develop your ownWhile I do think Liljegren has been mishandled a little bit, he has made the kind of mistakes which have led to his benching long before Keefe started calling him out for it, and he is still making those same mistakes. I think he can work through them, but I can see why Keefe has a tough time trusting him in the playoffs and down the stretch. I think we will be somewhat forced to trust him next year, because he is probably our best bet to get someone as good (or better) than Holl unless we give Dumba a chance to rebound.
That being said, if Dumba does not rebound, then we are getting a guy who was far worse than Holl this year. And Mayfield has never been better than Holl while also being about the same age. Severson is probably the most likely upgrade over Holl on the market, and even he has similar concerns as Liljegren except he is 5 years older. I don't think we bring back Holl because he probably prices himself out, but it is a lot easier said than done to find these high end RD. They are either never available or ridiculously expensive.
Just look at the top pairing RD available on the market since Dubas has taken over. On the UFA market, we are probably only seeing Pietrangelo and Hamilton as guys who are clearly better RD than Brodie available on the open market. Some may also say Faulk but that is probably even. On the trade market, it is pretty much Trouba and Jones, and both look like we dodged a major bullet. Weegar, while being a RHD, has played almost exclusively at LD the entire time he was better than a mediocre bottom pairing defenseman in the NHL so even he is an iffy option. So who else really is there? Ristolainen?
Defense has been an issue in these playoffs, but let's not pretend like defense has been a longstanding issue with this team. In fact, our defense has covered a lot of problems throughout the Keefe era. It just so happens that in these playoffs, they are struggling to make even the most basic plays (both against Tampa and especially against Florida). We can give all the credit we want to Florida and their forecheck, but our defense hasn't even been able to move the puck properly even without pressure. That obviously has to change, and there is very little Keefe or anyone else can really do until that improves. Offense needs to bury more of their chances as well, and Samsonov can't keep getting outdueled by a busier Bobrovsky, but if our defense does their job, then we are on Florida's throats.
I will agree that the UFA defence market is underwhelming, and not saying that Dumba or Mayfield are nearly sexy enough, but I think Weegar would play perfectly well here on RHD with Rielly.While I do think Liljegren has been mishandled a little bit, he has made the kind of mistakes which have led to his benching long before Keefe started calling him out for it, and he is still making those same mistakes. I think he can work through them, but I can see why Keefe has a tough time trusting him in the playoffs and down the stretch. I think we will be somewhat forced to trust him next year, because he is probably our best bet to get someone as good (or better) than Holl unless we give Dumba a chance to rebound.
That being said, if Dumba does not rebound, then we are getting a guy who was far worse than Holl this year. And Mayfield has never been better than Holl while also being about the same age. Severson is probably the most likely upgrade over Holl on the market, and even he has similar concerns as Liljegren except he is 5 years older. I don't think we bring back Holl because he probably prices himself out, but it is a lot easier said than done to find these high end RD. They are either never available or ridiculously expensive.
Just look at the top pairing RD available on the market since Dubas has taken over. On the UFA market, we are probably only seeing Pietrangelo and Hamilton as guys who are clearly better RD than Brodie available on the open market. Some may also say Faulk but that is probably even. On the trade market, it is pretty much Trouba and Jones, and both look like we dodged a major bullet. Weegar, while being a RHD, has played almost exclusively at LD the entire time he was better than a mediocre bottom pairing defenseman in the NHL so even he is an iffy option. So who else really is there? Ristolainen?
Defense has been an issue in these playoffs, but let's not pretend like defense has been a longstanding issue with this team. In fact, our defense has covered a lot of problems throughout the Keefe era. It just so happens that in these playoffs, they are struggling to make even the most basic plays (both against Tampa and especially against Florida). We can give all the credit we want to Florida and their forecheck, but our defense hasn't even been able to move the puck properly even without pressure. That obviously has to change, and there is very little Keefe or anyone else can really do until that improves. Offense needs to bury more of their chances as well, and Samsonov can't keep getting outdueled by a busier Bobrovsky, but if our defense does their job, then we are on Florida's throats.
I will agree that the UFA defence market is underwhelming, and not saying that Dumba or Mayfield are nearly sexy enough, but I think Weegar would play perfectly well here on RHD with Rielly.
Kind of a moot point to argue it because I know we won't be seeing it.
I still think there is potential to snag one via trade, with the Kings scenario as an example.
I am still high on Liljegren and Timmins, understanding that they are young players who will make their share of mistakes. The problem with Keefe is he punishes young players for making mistakes, while teams like Boston and Tampa just play them and works through them.
Bottom line, all players, no matter how young or old, offence or defence, will make mistakes. Keefe now has Liljegren second guessing himself, which is never good for any player, and is horrible to do to a younger player. Liljegren has the highest upside at this point of any of our RHD, and he should be given every opportunity to continue his development. Keefe seems very selective with who he calls out, and to do it to keep Holl is just short-sighted and dumb.
Man, if Lou had picked up the phone when he was "shopping" Toews...... Damn..
