They don't just need physical bottom-six guys, they need a couple Krieder/Neiderreiter/Crouse type guys that can play top-six and bang the boards for TT, Cozens, Peterka, etc and open space for them.
They need Cozens, Tuch, and Thompson to show up for more than 1/4 of the season. The top-6 was a joke last season because the players didn't take the offseason seriously enough + Granato was in over his head and couldn't motivate them. Pretty sad they even needed extra motivation after missing the playoffs by 1 point the previous season.
Again, move Greenway up with Cozens and Quinn, and if Cozens progresses like we NEED him to, then we have a shutdown line that can score goals. Ruff needs to have these guys knowing their roles, too. Greenway needs to be that big body PITA to play against, and he showed it at times last year even if he wasn't overly physical.
We really don't need to stack the wings in the top-6 with our most talented players. Balance the lines. And I dont think ANYONE would complain if Thompson's line lacks a bit defensively if theyre even remotely close to how productive they were two seasons ago.
I suppose my point is, there are a million variables as to why this team was ass last year. Adding a gritty top 6 forward (if there's one even available via trade), which I would LOVE to get, isn't going to move the needle a ton on whether or not this team makes the playoffs if our top two centers are inconsistent as hell.
