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02 Jul 2023 18:24:55
I believe that a player in the mould of Jeannot or Tom Wilson (if they are available ) is the only answer. The only way to get their is to trade Mitch or Willy. You still build around one of those two and AM34.
Knies looks ready to play that heavy/ skilled forward role in the top six, albeit he left us with a small sample size, on one of the first lines. Now we need a heavy/ edgy guy with enough skill to keep up in the top six for the other line. I think Tom Wilson could immensely help, yes his knees are an issue, but it’s a necessary risk.
Go Willy + pick or prospect for RETAINED Wilson and future considerations. I realize it would seem crazy to go this route, but look at Vegas, they essentially have two All-World type guys with tons of depth. (Could do Marner too but the value would be hard to match from Washington) .
There is now ample cap space, maybe bring in Domi & Bertuzzi to bring the scoring punch needed from the third line as well as “grit”. Look at Tampas back-to-back run. They had third liners like Nick Paul hammering it to us. You could comfortably play these guys anywhere in the top nine as needed, say if Tom Wilson were to go down with injury. You could also offer them a bit more money and term because we know Tavares’s contract is going to end soon. And for those who are worried about Wilsons injuries? Tavares tore up his knees at the Olympics and has played for 10 more years.
Additionally if you lose the Murray contract, there’s even more space.
So effectively you’ve ensured grit and toughness from top to bottom in your forward group, you have scoring depth as we all know is needed and we’ve got money on the table to fill holes - whether we need to add to D, or finding scoring to replace whoever we traded for Tom Wilson.
I understand this is fantasy rhetoric but it isn’t really a stretch. The only problem I see is there’s a ticking clock.
I would also take fliers on any from the group of young guys that weren’t qualified. Foote, etc. Foote mostly.
1.) 02 Jul 2023 20:35:27
People forget, Tom Wilson isn't the only bruiser over there. Even Ovie is tough as nails and has been in his share of fights.
Until Mathews, Marner and Nylander step up that regard, tough guys won't help.
2.) 03 Jul 2023 00:48:14
Wilson is closing in on 30 years of age.
Punishing power forwards have a shorter career year expectancy than the average player.
Wilson’s recent series of injuries would be enough to make me steer clear of him.
3 or 4 years ago without a doubt Wilson would have been a great add but too late now.
Jeannot had the one good season then came back to earth.
He did little for the Lightning after they acquired him at an extremely high price.
I have a feeling that the Tanner Jeannot that we saw this past season is the real Tanner Jeannot.
Not even close to Willie’s value.
3.) 03 Jul 2023 01:05:17
@LeafsLife
My belief is that none of those three will ever do that. That’s why I think a Wilson-esque player would contribute both offensively and play tough/ dirty. It doesn’t have to be Wilson. I understand the need for them to be able to handle their own business bc and I play offense - guys like prime Lucic, Perry, Getzlaf, Dustin Brown, Kessler are who I grew up watching. My closest comparison now a days is Wilson. I think there’s a thin pool. But I think it’s necessary.
13 May 2023 17:39:27
We all know the latest blunder is on the top 6, more specifically the core four. If I were calling the shots, I would change the top 6 up to start with.
Nylander for Tom Wilson. Recovering from an ACL, maybe he is Available. Nylander being a rental and all maybe we throw in a prospect or draft pick.
Bunting can pack his rubbish. ZAR can pack his rubbish. Bunting could stay but he will get his bag this summer. Unless he wants to sign for peanuts he's gone. ROR is more valuable overall.
ROR, Kampf, Acciari can resign.
Donskoi ufa
Knies matthews marner - knies is your grinder and plays heavy adding some complimentary skill.
Wilson tavares Jarnkrok - wilson makes this a very hard line to play against while adding enough offensively to still keep this line am offensive dynamo.
Lafferty ror donskoi - this line is intense and heavy with bundles of skill to make this the leagues best 3rd line.
Acciari kampf holmberg - acciari and kampf both elevate the play of holmberg while taking care of the two way game allowing holmberg to carry the offensive pace.
Donskoi, knies and jarnkrok are interchangeable.
Creates for a deep and well balanced forward group while adding the much needed heart or sandpaper or grit or edge or whatever you want to call it to the top 6.
You salary cap gurus can figure out how to make the cap work, and schenn needs to be resigned while Samsonov walks and we pluck varlamov from the islanders to split duties with joey the great woll of china.
Am i on to something
1.) 13 May 2023 22:55:48
I think you are onto something…. I was about to make the same proposal, Nylander for Wilson that is. I’d like us to still attempt to get Lawson Crouse outta Arizona to play with Matthews. Still out on whether we keep Mitch the P&ssy Marner.
2.) 14 May 2023 01:05:54
On paper crouse looks good, no proven winning mentality, no deep playoff experience.
3.) 14 May 2023 05:07:53
You guys addressed the Forwards nicely for the most part. You forgot about the goaltending and the defence, The defence that has sucked for the better part of the last 7 years and the goaltending that has in some part suffered because of that defence but lets not let them off the hook some just have been not good enough.
If I'm looking for a trading partner for Nylander I am looking for a goalie in a package or a number 1 defender. IMO.
4.) 14 May 2023 14:35:20
I just can't see the Caps trading one guy on his final year for another. Wilson is a rare animal in this League. Caps could probably get a boat load for him at next years TDL if they aren't in the playoff race, so trading him now for Willy doesn't seem to make much sense. imo
Personally, I don't see the appeal of Donskoi. Especially if he wants anything even close to what his current contract is. Why not just keep Kerfoot then. They are very similar players imo.
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03 Jul 2023 01:05:17
@LeafsLife
My belief is that none of those three will ever do that. That’s why I think a Wilson-esque player would contribute both offensively and play tough/ dirty. It doesn’t have to be Wilson. I understand the need for them to be able to handle their own business bc and I play offense - guys like prime Lucic, Perry, Getzlaf, Dustin Brown, Kessler are who I grew up watching. My closest comparison now a days is Wilson. I think there’s a thin pool. But I think it’s necessary.
02 Jun 2023 04:32:19
Horse sack i really like this prop. I think youve undersold Matthews though buddy, yes those are two top youngs from LA coming back but they aren’t selling out arenas like AM so id say LA throws in another high end propsect or a pair of high picks. Im not high on Robertson adding more than Jarnkrok would so I’d switch that out. Overall we retain the skill and get a heck of a lot tougher. Need an edge in the top 6 and I think domi gives you that and I think nylander could lift bertuzzi and domi to even better play. Good look.
14 May 2023 01:05:54
On paper crouse looks good, no proven winning mentality, no deep playoff experience.
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