Roster Building thread - Part IX - (2024 edition)

[Kovalev27]

I don’t know why any of you are surprised we’re going all in.

Mika
Panarin
Trocheck
Trouba
Kreider

All 30 all locked in long term with No move clauses. We have to win now. These are the guys that have to get it done. We aren’t rebuilding anytime soon. Not until Panarin is finished.

By the way I can see Lindholm extended. Centers don’t grow on trees and hoping Chytil can come back next year is nuts. This guy can play center AND RW. So if Chytil does come back this guy can play on the top line and he actually thrives with top players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us give up real assets to get him with that being the plan.

 

[bl02]

What about:

Kakko + Robertson for Hanifan
Lindgren for Pinto + 3rd

Fills the center spot and LD spot

Would hurt a bit but that would be a decent deal.
But why is Ottawa trading Pinto? They probably would be more interested in trading Norris who has been pretty disappointing this year.

 

[Machinehead]

Here's another way of looking it at -- if Lindholm can only be effective playing with elite wingers, we have one.

That line has Zibanejad on it, and we've been over that territory. It has the corpse of Blake Wheeler on it. That line is still thoroughly outscoring opponents. Somebody posted the stat the other day.

I think the LW on that line might be good, Idk.

They can do so much more if they were willing to break up that line and get the most out of Kreider. Putting Zibanejad in a different role shakes things up and sends a message without having to do a crazy trade in-season. Reduce his 5v5 role and let him score on the powerplay.

 

[bl02]

Girard is another small D. The Avs won the Cup with Girard out of the lineup. Jack Johnson's size was a better fit in the playoffs. Barbashev knocked Girard out of the playoffs with a broken sternum.

He would a horrible addition.

agreed what is the love with Girard? He will get destroyed in the playoffs.
Even Byram is a disaster waiting to happen with his injury history.

 

[Machinehead]

agreed what is the love with Girard? He will get destroyed in the playoffs.
Even Byram is a disaster waiting to happen with his injury history.

I don't get this line of thinking at all.

PMD's avoid checkers a lot better than big defensemen who can't move the puck.

Against teams like Carolina, Florida, Philly, even NJ if they snap out of it, I'm way more concerned about Miller and Trouba against those forechecks than a player like Girard.

 

[bl02]

I don't mind trading Kakko if its a young cost controlled player, if its for a rental I'm out, we can't hand over a young player for an outside chance at getting a couple rounds in.

Do people not realize this? Lindholm is a pure rental.

 

[Pawnee Rangers]

They're in the same position they were in last deadline because the young players they were relying on to support Zib, Panarin, and Kreider are no shows on the score sheet most nights. Yes Laff has been better but he's not scoring consistently, Kakko cannot score, and Chytil is gone for who knows how long. That's one third of your top 9. Of course the GM is going to look to upgrade the roster. How long do you want him to sit on his ass and pray any of those three live up to their billing when your core, while still productive (even Zib for how awful he's been), is getting up there in age and all have limitations on when and where they can be traded. Are we having any of these conversations right now if Laff and Kakko were the real deals?

 

[bl02]

I don't get this line of thinking at all.

PMD's avoid checkers a lot better than big defensemen who can't move the puck.

Against teams like Carolina, Florida, Philly, even NJ if they snap out of it, I'm way more concerned about Miller and Trouba against those forechecks than a player like Girard.

I just remember Colorado was better off without him in their cup run. Last year he wasn't very good in first round exit as well. I think there are better options. Also he did issue statement about his struggles with Anxiety and substance abuse.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Not thrilled at all that Kakko is on the block, definitely going to bite us in the ass in a few years when he develops into a good 2nd line defensive player.

But if we are trading him it better be for a player similar to his age and potential. If we trade him for a rental than Drury needs to be fired immediately.

 

[McRanger92]

I don’t know why any of you are surprised we’re going all in.

Mika
Panarin
Trocheck
Trouba
Kreider

All 30 all locked in long term with No move clauses. We have to win now. These are the guys that have to get it done. We aren’t rebuilding anytime soon. Not until Panarin is finished.

By the way I can see Lindholm extended. Centers don’t grow on trees and hoping Chytil can come back next year is nuts. This guy can play center AND RW. So if Chytil does come back this guy can play on the top line and he actually thrives with top players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us give up real assets to get him with that being the plan.

I would not like a Lindholm extension. Do we really need another 30 year old on an 8 year deal? There's certainly space on the roster for him if Chytil is a multi-year injury and Kakko is getting shipped out. But its another mercenary. If you're going to give big money to anyone make it a top 4 defenseman. We currently have only 1. Any extension is a commitment that Lindholm will be one of the core players post Trouba/Panarin contracts after 2026.

 

[bhamill]

I think it’s probably the other way around. Can’t imagine many GM’s knocking the door down for Kakko at this moment. I think it’s more plausible that Drury is using the media to put out a “for sale” sign. Doesn’t mean he’ll sell low (I pray), but this was always a make or break season for Kakko. Laf took up most of the oxygen in that convo, but it was always Kakko IMO and he hasn’t taken that next step.

For the record, I’d rather keep Kakko unless it’s a clear cut Drury fleece job.

You never know. But Drury runs a notoriously tight ship, and they said he's TAKING calls, not making them... I personally think it's more likely GM's see Chytil out for at least the season and are waving 4Cs they are calling 3Cs and asking about Kakko. The vultures circling just seems so much more likely to me.

 

[will1066]

Drury is ready to hand over Kakko for even a rental because he doesn't see a future for him here. No sense holding on to romantic thoughts that the team loves him because 2OA reasons. Other GMs may think otherwise and believe they can still make something out of him because insane underlying fancy stats or something, but not Drury. He will forget Kakko just like he's quickly forgotten Nils Lundkvist and is ready to move on even if HFNYR is not.

Drury is ready to clean house after this season and get rid of players with low energy, beta, loser or entitled mindsets.

 

[McRanger92]

Drury is ready to hand over Kakko for even a rental because he doesn't see a future for him here. No sense holding on to romantic thoughts that the team loves him because 2OA reasons. Other GMs may think otherwise and believe they can still make something out of him because insane underlying fancy stats, but not Drury. He will forget Kakko just like he's quickly forgotten Nils Lundkvist and is ready to move on even if HFNYR is not.

Drury is ready to clean house after this season and get rid of players with low energy, beta, loser or entitled mindsets.

I dont endorse trading Kakko for a rental but i do find it funny that the same people who say the rebuild failed, are the ones saying we should keep Kakko (the biggest failure) and enter into another rebuild.

 

[Kovalev27]

I would not like a Lindholm extension. Do we really need another 30 year old on an 8 year deal? There's certainly space on the roster for him if Chytil is a multi-year injury and Kakko is getting shipped out. But its another mercenary. If you're going to give big money to anyone make it a top 4 defenseman. We currently have only 1. Any extension is a commitment that Lindholm will be one of the core players post Trouba/Panarin contracts after 2026.

If chytil can never play hockey again im not sure we have a 3C anywhere Remotely close to good enough to keep us relevant and you need centers to be relevant. Like I said I don’t think we’re rebuilding anytime soon. This core is the core for a while. And as someone said if laf chytil and Kakko were stars maybe it’s a different conversation but they aren’t (Laf will be but not yet) so they’re going to keep adding to this core and trying to win

 

[Anthony5967]

Every year we talk about how wide open it is, but the cream is rising like it always does. Carolina and Florida are both comfortably in playoff positions. I would be very unsurprised if that's the ECF again.

And that's in the East which is ass this year. Out of the 8 teams in playoff position in the West, I would bet the house on us losing a series to 7 of them.

The Carolina Hurricanes goaltending is god awful. If Shesterkin didn't suddenly forget how to play hockey and Zibanejad didn't stop attacking inside ice and shooting, we wouldn't have the lunatics in here screaming for the team to lose every game in February and to rebuild. I mean seriously, some need to get a grip. They're not trading Kakko for a rental. Everybody take a Xanax.

 

[McRanger92]

If chytil can never play hockey again im not sure we have a 3C anywhere Remotely close to good enough to keep us relevant and you need centers to be relevant. Like I said I don’t think we’re rebuilding anytime soon. This core is the core for a while. And as someone said if laf chytil and Kakko were stars maybe it’s a different conversation but they aren’t (Laf will be but not yet) so they’re going to keep adding to this core and trying to win

I think Chytil may come back at some points, but you are right that they need to proceed like he's not and if he does he can play wing.

Trocheck
Meeka
Lindholm

Is quite strong down the middle, I just know I'm going to hate his contract unless Drury can get him at a discounted rate like he did Trocheck. And if they make this move, there need to be a legit bottom and defense adds on top of it. They have too many obvious holes this year to act like 1 move is going "all-in"

 

[bl02]

I don’t know why any of you are surprised we’re going all in.

Mika
Panarin
Trocheck
Trouba
Kreider

All 30 all locked in long term with No move clauses. We have to win now. These are the guys that have to get it done. We aren’t rebuilding anytime soon. Not until Panarin is finished.

By the way I can see Lindholm extended. Centers don’t grow on trees and hoping Chytil can come back next year is nuts. This guy can play center AND RW. So if Chytil does come back this guy can play on the top line and he actually thrives with top players. I wouldn’t be surprised to see us give up real assets to get him with that being the plan.

so you would be ok giving him 8 years X 8.5 million likely with a NTC?
Panarin/Trouba/Kreider will all be gone way before that. I'm just not sure if he will age like Bergeron. We can't afford to have two old regressing high paid centers long term.

 

[Bob Richards]

i was pretty agnostic about Kane/Tarasenko when those rumors floated around last year.

I’m actually mad about the Lindholm one lmfao. That would f***ing suck.

 

[McRanger92]

so you would be ok giving him 9 years X 8.5 million likely with a NTC?
Panarin/Trouba/Kreider will all be gone way before that. I'm just not sure if he will age like Bergeron. We can't afford to have two old regressing high paid centers long term.

Lindholm may have gotten that after his 84 point season, but he's not anymore. the shine is off him as a 1C. I think an extension for him comes in closer to Trocheck than Meeka. 6.5-7.5 on a long term deal.

 

[RangerBoy]

Drury is ready to hand over Kakko for even a rental because he doesn't see a future for him here. No sense holding on to romantic thoughts that the team loves him because 2OA reasons. Other GMs may think otherwise and believe they can still make something out of him because insane underlying fancy stats or something, but not Drury. He will forget Kakko just like he's quickly forgotten Nils Lundkvist and is ready to move on even if HFNYR is not.

Drury is ready to clean house after this season and get rid of players with low energy, beta, loser or entitled mindsets.

Chris has had three years to correct the issues. Add more size. Add more grit. Now we read Drury wants to add players with grit and jam in the bottom six. Where has he been the last three years? Chris is the problem. Do you have faith in him making the right moves? I don't. The same issues still exist. He has traded away a million picks with nothing to show for it. The guy traded Buchnevich for Blais and a 2nd round pick. He signs Nemeth and adds two second round picks to move the contract. The cap issues were tough and he made harder. Goodrow is an anchor on the cap. Gave Chytil $4.4375M after giving Trocheck $5.7M. He sandbagged Gorton and JD to take over. He is awful.

 

[bl02]

Lindholm may have gotten that after his 84 point season, but he's not anymore. the shine is off him as a 1C. I think an extension for him comes in closer to Trocheck than Meeka. 6.5-7.5 on a long term deal.

I'm not so sure he takes that. I think if we get him he is a pure rental. Unless somehow we get rid of Trouba's money which I don't see happening

 

[McRanger92]

Chris has had three years to correct the issues. Add more size. Add more grit. Now we read Drury wants to add players with grit and jam in the bottom six. Where has he been the last three years? Chris is the problem. Do you have faith in him making the right moves? I don't. The same issues still exist. He has traded away a million picks with nothing to show for it. The guy traded Buchnevich for Blais and a 2nd round pick. He signs Nemeth and adds two second round picks to move the contract. The cap issues were tough and he made harder. Goodrow is an anchor on the cap. Gave Chytil $4.4375M after giving Trocheck $5.7M. He sandbagged Gorton and JD to take over. He is awful.

Why are the Chytil and Trocheck contracts counted as bad deals? Both were clearly below market and Chytil having a career altering injury isnt really Drury's fault.

 

[RangerBoy]

If chytil can never play hockey again im not sure we have a 3C anywhere Remotely close to good enough to keep us relevant and you need centers to be relevant. Like I said I don’t think we’re rebuilding anytime soon. This core is the core for a while. And as someone said if laf chytil and Kakko were stars maybe it’s a different conversation but they aren’t (Laf will be but not yet) so they’re going to keep adding to this core and trying to win

Kreider and Trouba can be moved his summer. Trocheck can be moved in 2025. Panarin's deal expires in 2027. The core stinks. It's hard for the young guys to become stars playing secondary roles. Lafreniere will be begging to join Kakko with a one way ticket out the door because it's the best thing for his career. Get away from this madness.

 

[will1066]

Chris has had three years to correct the issues. Add more size. Add more grit. Now we read Drury wants to add players with grit and jam in the bottom six. Where has he been the last three years? Chris is the problem. Do you have faith in him making the right moves? I don't. The same issues still exist. He has traded away a million picks with nothing to show for it. The guy traded Buchnevich for Blais and a 2nd round pick. He signs Nemeth and adds two second round picks to move the contract. The cap issues were tough and he made harder. Goodrow is an anchor on the cap. Gave Chytil $4.4375M after giving Trocheck $5.7M. He sandbagged Gorton and JD to take over. He is awful.

I don't disagree at all. He's made lots of errors. He should've tried to keep guys like Buch, Vatrano. However, I'm willing to ride the next round of moves only because this current core needs to be rid of, as long as he doesn't give away more farm.

 

[Anthony5967]

Chris has had three years to correct the issues. Add more size. Add more grit. Now we read Drury wants to add players with grit and jam in the bottom six. Where has he been the last three years? Chris is the problem. Do you have faith in him making the right moves? I don't. The same issues still exist. He has traded away a million picks with nothing to show for it. The guy traded Buchnevich for Blais and a 2nd round pick. He signs Nemeth and adds two second round picks to move the contract. The cap issues were tough and he made harder. Goodrow is an anchor on the cap. Gave Chytil $4.4375M after giving Trocheck $5.7M. He sandbagged Gorton and JD to take over. He is awful.

Blais was fine for the team's bottom-six dynamic of being tougher to play against until he blew his knee out. Goodrow clearly doesn't play as much and isn't valued as much for Laviolette as he was for Gallant, but at least he was a 30 point swiss army knife player. Now, not having a good year. Nemeth completely cratered here because the team had no system in place whatsoever. Gorton and JD sucked. If Gorton was so great, why were Laf and Kakko playing third and fourth line during rebuilds that featured the likes of Phil Di Guiseppe and Connor Brickley? Seriously. Horrible.