Jones and Schneider will be fine. Robertson is basically our only D prospect capable of potentially being a consistent top 6 dman, I know it seems backwards to label a B prosect untouchable, but he should be. When we need to shed salary via Lindgren, Robertson is the cost-controlled replacement that allows salary to be shed without replacing via trade or FA.
Othmann showing the way he did in camp and with his style of play makes Kravtsov expendable. I have serious doubts about Kravtsov anyways, Othmann being in system or not.
Like I've said, Blais will need time to get touches in and reacclimated to speed and tempo, but I hope he figures it out because if not that leaves a hole on 3L and ultimately 4C because we all know its Goodrow who moves up, and the 4L is at its best when hes on it. Unforutnate that Hunt, who was a very good 4th liner but a bad 2nd liner for us, was lost while we let Krav and Blais figure it out, but the choice was understandable since there is more invested in them from org, more value in them, more potential in them. They also are basically untradeable from an org standpoint because you'd be selling at lowest value which is last resort.
On the flip, you knew what you got from Hunt every night on 4L. Krav and Blais, if they can't figure it out (one of them should), that leaves 2 massive holes in the lineup. Their value would be low come TDL if they are moved, and if they aren't they could tank our 3rd line. If Krav were to be scratched and Blais moved to 4th, you know it would be Vesey-Chytil-Goodrow, which isn't great, but its serviceable, but significantly weakens the 4L of Blais-Carpenter-Reaves.
Anyways back to original point, I think we need defensive insurance in form of veteran, not necessarily someone who needs to outright replace Jones or Schneider right away in lineup, just have the potential to do so and do so in a way better than Hajek.
Could also upgrade bottom 6 with depth, similar to last season. Kane would be a luxury on 3rd line, but his value to us would be lower playing with Chytil and playing 2PP so the price would need to be lower to account for his value. I've steered away from that quest with Kakko and Laf showing well on top 2 lines.
If price is right, pull trigger. If not, bolster bottom 6 and depth on D and let the roster do its thing.
For Mr 4 career points? I can’t see the Canucks taking that.
Mr 4 career points. Mr fleed the country. Mr injured after first hit.