Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XLVIII

[LiveLongandProspal]

How much do you think Mikael Granlund will cost?

 

[Bluto]

He had great chemistry with Panarin, I'd be hesitant to throw that away unless it is the right deal. My real issue with him is that in today's volatile political climate, whether you agree or disagree with his point of view, he's a bit of a liability on SM being so outspoken and he's bound to say something that would unfortunately reflect poorly on the team/league.

It's not illegal to be a republican... yet.
Lots of republicans watch the NHL.
The NHL has been relatively quiet on politics compared to other leagues and theyre in a lot of conservative markets.
I dont think theyre as willing to alienate the conservative fanbase like the NFL, MLB, or NBA.
As long as he doesn't say anything racist, he'll be okay.

 

[mti79]

I still think we should let Strome walk or trade his rights. Then get Mikko Koivu to add a veteran presence, a fellow Finn for Kakko, and I can't imagine it costing too much. But I'm also in the resign Fast boat. With the flat cap, I'm not sure he's a guy that teams will overpay for. Would he sign for 2-3 years at $2.5 per? He would come off the books when the kids need new contracts and could probably be traded if needed.
Not sure VK will be ready for NY this year so Fast could play 3/4 line. Gauthier could be the 4th liner/extra skater. Have VK start in Hartford with the direction that if he plays well he'll be up sooner rather than later.

 

[pld459666]

I think he will. He may be lacking in the hockey IQ department and doesn't have the best hands, but man, he is a machine on the ice. His blend of size and speed is rare.

Not a fan of how he doesnt use his size enough.

His physique should allow for some punishing hits. I see more of that from Lemieux than Gauthier

 

[gravey9]

Agreed. I am not a huge fan of Byfield and I honestly do think Stutzle will be very close to Lafreniere's level down the road. He has an undeniable motor, and elite puck skills, but I do think it will take a year or two of adjustment and physical growth before his presence is felt. I believe Lafreniere's impact will be instant though.

I'd have a tough time turning down Stutzle, 5, and Tkachuk.

I don't get the Byfield thing. His size is really impressive. His wheels are impressive. But I don't see a first line center. I think his lack of vision will either make him a middle-six center or a wing who maybe takes big faceoffs.

 

[True Blue]

He had great chemistry with Panarin, I'd be hesitant to throw that away unless it is the right deal. My real issue with him is that in today's volatile political climate, whether you agree or disagree with his point of view, he's a bit of a liability on SM being so outspoken and he's bound to say something that would unfortunately reflect poorly on the team/league.

Nothing could be further from the truth. His political views have not mattered one iota to his team.

 

[Bluto]

If he comes back with a good attitude ready to go, great.
Sometimes you have to put your mental health first.
Hopefully he comes through this experience wiser for it.
I can understand the tough adjustment he had... being a young kid moving from Sweden to the USA. Getting bounced between Hartford and NYC as a 18-20 year old. It can certainly take a mental toll om a young person far from home.

 

[Thirty One]

Wasn't mentally prepared for the playoffs? Would have fit right in.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Not a fan of how he doesnt use his size enough.

His physique should allow for some punishing hits. I see more of that from Lemieux than Gauthier

Definitely needs to learn to do that, for sure. I don't think he realizes how gifted he is from a physical standpoint.

 

[True Blue]

I still think we should let Strome walk or trade his rights. Then get Mikko Koivu to add a veteran presence, a fellow Finn for Kakko, and I can't imagine it costing too much.

You are going to insert a clearly declining 37 year old into Strome' s spot and hope that the results stay the same?

 

[pld459666]

Definitely needs to learn to do that, for sure. I don't think he realizes how gifted he is from a physical standpoint.

I think that ship has sailed.

If he hasn't been that player up to this point, its not in his DNA and anything you get will be inconsistent and half hearted.

 

[Fitzy]

You are going to insert a clearly declining 37 year old into Strome' s spot and hope that the results stay the same?

Yeah I don't get it.

I understand fully not wanting to give Strome a long term deal. But the obvious answer to me seems to be give him a 1 or 2 year deal and move him when/if the right time comes.

This whole 'trade strome then sign expensive replacement player' is a real two-in-the-bush thinking. No certainty that Granlund, Koivu or anyone else would click with Panarin.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

I think that ship has sailed.

If he hasn't been that player up to this point, its not in his DNA and anything you get will be inconsistent and half hearted.

He's 22. Theres still time to realize it, but yeah. Wasn't his dad a bodybuilder and his grandfather like a professional wrestler or like a Mr. Universe? You'd think he'd know it by now. I mean Lafreniere is pretty much the opposite of the "soft French-Canadian," but Gauthier epitomizes it despite being bigger and stronger.

 

[gravey9]

Totally fine. His defense is a work in progress but he has so many positives to his game I’m not gonna mention when would even dream of having a 24 year old 60 point rhd

I think the value of most players hits a ceiling if they aren't seen as a guy that can impact a playoff game. Esp undersized D. Tony's shown the ability to grow and develop which off-sets that a bit. But this is what makes it tough to get equal value for him right now.

 

[True Blue]

Yeah I don't get it.

I understand fully not wanting to give Strome a long term deal. But the obvious answer to me seems to be give him a 1 or 2 year deal and move him when/if the right time comes.

This whole 'trade strome then sign expensive replacement player' is a real two-in-the-bush thinking. No certainty that Granlund, Koivu or anyone else would click with Panarin.

From what Strome has shown is that he can be a perfect stop-gap. Clicks with your best player, has his game taken to a different level and allows for management to see 1) how Chytil is coming along and/or 2) what the trade market has to show for a second line center. And if you do find someone or Chytil steps up, then Strome can either center the third line or even slide to wing on the third line. $5m for 2-4 years.

 

[Bluto]

I work with survey data for a living and, in this era, that's changing. Economic well being is less correlated with political leanings.

I'm old and well off financially. I meet the team every year and had dinners with countless players over the years mostly because the NHL and a lot of teams have been clients of mine.
They're generally conservative. Even the Europeans, and especially the Russians and Americans. Canadians are about 50/50, though the guys from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and North east canada are generally conservative.
The conservative demographic in the NHL is very high.
Most come from wealthy, conservative families, and considering the cost of playing, its not surprising.
Add to that, if American consumers could speak Russian, the Russian players would all be canceled.

 

[True Blue]

Add to that, if American consumers could speak Russian, the Russian players would all be canceled.

So true. Most Russians are completely non-PC and are very conservative

 

[pld459666]

Buch for Klefbom

Klefbom misses close to 20 games a year

Thats a big knock on his value

 

[Fitzy]

I'm old and well off financially. I meet the team every year and had dinners with countless players over the years mostly because the NHL and a lot of teams have been clients of mine.
They're generally conservative. Even the Europeans, and especially the Russians and Americans. Canadians are about 50/50, though the guys from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and North east canada are generally conservative.
The conservative demographic in the NHL is very high.
Most come from wealthy, conservative families, and considering the cost of playing, its not surprising.
Add to that, if American consumers could speak Russian, the Russian players would all be canceled.

Oh, I can imagine.

It's more that I see the political spectrum shifting even more from the economic arena to the cultural one- i.e., one's opinion on immigration, flags, life in general is a stronger driver of partisanship nowadays than perceived economic self-interest. I'm not a full 'what's the matter with kansas' subscriber but noneconomic factors are huge now.

Your position on kneeling for the anthem now matters more than your position on income tax distribution or social security.

 

[romba]

It's not illegal to be a republican... yet.
Lots of republicans watch the NHL.
The NHL has been relatively quiet on politics compared to other leagues and theyre in a lot of conservative markets.
I dont think theyre as willing to alienate the conservative fanbase like the NFL, MLB, or NBA.
As long as he doesn't say anything racist, he'll be okay.

Totally agree on everything, the bold concerns me because all it takes is one slip from him and the hounds will jump him. They already do, but he's defend-able for now.

 

[mti79]

You are going to insert a clearly declining 37 year old into Strome' s spot and hope that the results stay the same?

No. Sorry I wasn't clear. I want Koivu or someone like that to be the 3rd/4th line center. Put Chytil in the middle of Panarin and Kakko. I just don't think Strome is going to be worth whatever it takes to resign. My guess is over $5 which is too much imo. This is also presuming that Koivu or another vet would take a sub $2 offer or in that neighborhood.

Sorry for the confusion

 

[Trxjw]

I might be in the minority, but I don't see Klefbom as a great partner for Trouba. Feels like pairing Trouba with a left-handed, injury-prone version of himself.

 

[romba]

Nothing could be further from the truth. His political views have not mattered one iota to his team.

Never said they do. Yet. But he toes the line. Not to get personal but I am a moderate republican (*ducks*) but in the public view it's sadly a tough position even for me to take and I'm a moderate. Whether you agree with it or not, there's a finer microscope on conservatives/trump supporters especially in liberal cities/locations, and in a purely business sense he's a bit of a potential liability. Could be the team disagrees.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Why would Koivu leave the Wild? And why don't we just go after a younger, better C in Mikael Granlund?

 

[NYR Viper]

Also about most of them not attending or completing college.

As is known by all, without a college education one must be lacking for intelligence...