Don't get me wrong, I fully agree that direction and plan unknown is a problem. We have a better talented younger team then a talented veteran team. If we are 4th place or higher by the trade deadline I'd keep Boca for defensive tenacity. I'd still move Purboo and possibly Stevenson if there is a market. Another consideration is next season we have 4 overage possibilities on the team. Angle and Corcoran are shoe ins to return if available but what do you do with Playfair and Douglas? I'm not sure Douglas is ready for even the AHL. Sure he is size wise but he was in the Stars first round of cuts at trng camp. He is unsigned as well. The push I believe for a run is next season. If you wait till 21-22 you have 5 potential overagers returning all top talent. In addition you have no idea if a couple of our drafted players make an nhl team by then. Too many risks. If we stay status quo with the roster even through the next 2 season's we will still need assets to fill key roles to make a legitimate run. Bowler has to be thinking 2-3 yrs out all the time and hopefully doesn't trade young talent to fill those needs.
The only one of our OAs who may get moved would be Purboo. Bowler seems to have a soft spot for Stevenson and Boka will likely stay and get the record for most games played by a Spit. None of them have much value either so if they insist on running with three OAs while not making a big push it would cost more to upgrade so may as well stand pat or if they do move any of them, don't replace them with another OA unless it is a Garagan type coming back in a deal that doesn't affect the return for the player alone.
Playfair next year would be Garagan last year. He's currently fallen to the fourth line plus PK and the odd face off they may consider important. I don't see him here next year if they try to make a run, a very poor use of an OA spot on someone who has already dropped down to fourth line minutes. He has never really progressed and I don't think we see a huge jump the rest of this year or next. Move him for a late round pick this year or an even later round pick next year.
Douglas is going to be limited in his development in this league. He's not NHL or AHL ready and won't be until he gets out of the O. ECHL is an option for him next year and I could see him going there if he gets signed.
Corcoran has the potential to land in the AHL next year if he gets signed. If he does get signed, before the deadline I would think that possibility has to be considered when deciding if they should move him or not.
Angle is the one guarantee of the three drafted to be back. He's a late Bday so letting have another year in the O without it affecting the two year signing window won't hurt Columbus. If he continues the way he is he likely could bring a very good return this year, 01 player/2ND/2x 3RDs. Next year if they're not all in he would bring a solid OA return, not the biggest but decent, 2ND/2x 3RDs range so a bit less than they would get this year, no player but at least they would have him this year.
Afanasyev is the only player likely to add major pieces on his own. A high end 02 or potential 03 plus 2NDs and 3RDs. It's a lot to risk if he doesn't return and if he stays does it justify going in a bit more this year and next year trying to get a two year push?
The rest of our 01s are nothing special. Decent, yes but what's their value on the market compared to other 01s? If they are going to make a push next year they need to upgrade their 01s significantly. Most of the league has average 01s, it's not just a Windsor issue. There are a few very good 01s but they're going to cost a lot more than Windsor has to add with. Across the league I think 02s will play a significantly larger role in anyone's line up that's going all in so the cost is going to be high next year to get one of the few elite type 01s and even higher to get very good to elite 02s. This is they year to add 02s for next year and beyond, for any team that's looking at a run in the next two years but it's going to take a very good player to get them.
Here's what we have with picks at the moment through the first five rounds, barring any outstanding conditions not yet fulfilled (COND 2ND in 2026 to Hamilton is supposed to be upgraded to a 2020 2ND but haven't yet found that being fulfilled). It doesn't look bad but the lack of organizational depth willing to report to replace graduating players hurts this team right now. If you burn through all your picks and not many players are willing to report your going to spend whatever is left trying to ice a bottom feeding roster for a couple of years, especially if you get some early graduations.
YEAR | RND 1 | RND 2 | RND 3 | RND 4 | RND 5 |
2020 | WSR 1ST | FLT 2ND
LDN 2ND | --- | KIT 4TH
OSH 4TH | --- |
2021 | WSR 1ST | BAR 2ND | --- | WSR 4TH
FLT 4TH | WSR 5TH
ERI 5TH |
2022 | WSR 1ST | OSH 2ND
OTT 2ND | WSR 3RD | ERI 4TH | WSR 5TH |
2023 | WSR 1ST | OTT 2ND | HAM 3RD (COND)
KIT 3RD
KNG 3RD | --- | --- |
2024 | WSR 1ST | KIT 2ND | BAR 3RD | WSR 4TH | WSR 5TH
HAM 5TH (COND) |
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