Friedman: Predators looking for a center

[BKarchitect]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

 

[beardawg]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

I think he's the kind of guy that thrives against a teams middle six, but if you're expecting him to go against Crosby, Mackinnon, McDavid, Barkov, etc.. he's invisible offensively and incapable of containing them defensively

 

[rt]

Schmaltz with retention for Carrier and some other asset?

 

[Fatass]

He takes the draw and immediately goes to the left wing

So centre defensive responsibility off the face off. That’s a centre.

 

[Kat Predator]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

He's got superior skills and can carry/move the puck when it's on his stick. He's got a sneaky good shot. So his offensive numbers look pretty good.

But, yeah, the rest of the stuff you need from an NHL centre, he can be a liability.

As far as load, our coaches seem to play favorites. Some players get exaggerated TOI and others, like Novak, get short changed. It's not always clear why that is exactly. Every player seems to come with a very different length leash.

 

[Soundgarden]

I don’t understand why Novak doesn’t get a long leash or more true top six minutes. Is his play away from the puck that bad? He’s a high-level producer in mediocre minutes - is that just who he is always going to be…a guy who loses impact or has too many deficiencies when he gets a bigger load?

Same reason Fabbro Tomasino and Parssinen are constantly benched, just Brunette things.

 

[Dotter]

Does anyone want Red Wings Joe Veleno (24 years old at $2.2m)? Marco Kasper has pushed out a center in Detroit. Copp would be available, but he's overpriced and doesn't have + value.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Andrew Copp 50% retained for a 2nd.

Please take him. PLEASE!

 

[BKarchitect]

I think some of these names are missing the mark. The Preds have plenty of middle 6 and bottom 6 options. Theres no reason for them to entertain the likes of Veleno or Copp.

 

[WolfOfBroadStreet14]

Flyers are short centers also but Frost seems to be on Torts Shit list again this year. He could be a fit.

 

[bernmeister]

I am not sure Zib would waive to go to Nash.
That said for discussion purposes:

3 way: Rs / Fs / Ps
step 1
Zib + Lindgren + Vesey + Jones + NYR 2024 1st + 2025 1st to Flyers
with
Sanheim + York + Frost + partially retained Johanson + Ana + Nash 2024 2nds to Rs
= 6 assets for 6

this gives Rs LD w/mo size at 2.25m less per for similar term

step 2
Zib/+ ________ instantly to Preds for ___________________

step 3
Frost + NYR future 3rd for
McCarron + future Nash 2nd

Rs would gamble either
Trochek + Chytil move up
or keep those lines kickin consider Edstrom or other for 1C

this presumes that in addition to pick upgrade and flipping Lindgren {w/2 3rds for 2 2nds somewhere] Preds pay enuf for Zib both Nash + Philly are good
also getting Frost for basically McCarron = upgrade

 

[olli]

I never said understood the Duchene buyout. I understand getting rid of vets if you’re rebuilding/retooling which at the time was true. But buying him out obviously didn’t add any assets and the buyout cap hit is 5.5M this year and 6.5M next year. May as well have just kept in around and hope he could maintain his level of play which he has with Dallas. I’ve heard Trotz didn’t like him and Johansen’s more relaxed lifestyle maybe but still buying out Duchene seemed very short sighted. Now they’ve ultimately replaced him cap wise with Stamkos who’s a winger and isn’t any better at this stage.