What do you think Trotz will cook up during the break? Will the break help or hurt us as we try and make the playoff push? What AHL players do you think we see before the season ends? Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.
What do you think Trotz will cook up during the break? Will the break help or hurt us as we try and make the playoff push? What AHL players do you think we see before the season ends? Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.
12 comments
Let’s sell.
i honestly don’t know how to feel about this team right now, or what to expect after the break. i won’t be upset if we can sell off bunting and marchessault, unsure about haula because letting him go means we’re fully giving up on this season. definitely hope to see l’heureux and kemell get some time up here before the season ends at least.
I don’t think they should go full sell. Moving some pending UFAs makes sense for the right price.nIf someone is willing to over pay à la Jeannot for ROR, then you have to let him go, too. I would really love if he could find a way to move Marchessault and Skjei. They really need to clear a d spot for Ufko. Blankenburg shouldn’t be dealt because he adds more value than they’d get back for him. Moving Perbix or Barron would be the way to go. Ufko is having an amazing AHL season. He’s been neck and neck with Zac Jones for the most points, but I worry he could end up being a Zac Jones when gets to the NHL.
I honestly don’t know. It sounds like they’ve been planning to soft sell all season. But I’m legitimately curious if Trotz’ retirement is changing things. One last run for the Gipper?
This team will probably sell a couple of guys, get some 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks and then finish just outside of the playoffs in the mushiest of all possible endings.
Keep: Forsberg, Saros, ROR, Stammer, Vange, Blank, Wilsby
Sell (if possible): anyone else especially any player on a one year deal or generally older
Give away: Skjei (zero chance) or March if anyone is willing to take them
Is Marchessault realistically a piece they are going to look to move?
As key of a piece as ROR has been why do we not look into extending him?
I need to find a new coaching gig quick
IF Trotz is honest about “setting up his successor for success” then SELL BABY SELLLLLL! Likely he’s going to move one minor UFA, maybe two, for a couple mid tier draft picks, and otherwise stand pat. If this team still thinks we have a chance of making the playoffs, you won’t see anyone called up, save for injuries. Realistically with this mindset we finish roughly where we are right now and pick 9-13th.
What I would do as armchair GM:
Trade O’Reilly for a young prospect and a pick (ideally 1st round). Sell McCarron, Haula, Bunting: get what you can in picks, maybe a center in exchange for Bunting. Writing is on the wall for the players with a new GM coming in, new mindset for offseason etc, and this playing above belt pace that we are currently on subsides, and with that we call up players like Ufko, Molendyk, Kemell, and ZLH to varying amounts of games. Embrace the Perd, likely pick 4th-7th. Offseason possibly with O’Reilly gone some players will want to move. I know not everyone is on this level of selling/tanking, but for the long-term health of the franchise, and to set up the incoming GM with a clean slate, I think this is the way.
The WORST outcome is Trotz foregoes all of this and tricks himself via Haslam that this team is capable of a serious push (we have to go on a fucking tear guys, and even at that we likely face Colorado), and actually BUYS at the deadline and saddles the new GM with a lengthy shitty contract that we bought at the wrong time or misevaluated, a la Skjei. In addition, we don’t move any upcoming UFAs, this push doesn’t work, (or it does) and we just miss and pick 14th-15th or we make it and get swept by the AVs. New GM comes in just as season ends and has a shitstorm to juggle.
What I think happens:
Practically everyone stays. Maybe a D man gets moved to make way next season for Ufko or Molendyk, but that’s just as easily an option for the offseason.
What I would like to happen:
Bunting – should be traded.
Haula – IF you trade him, you will need to bring a center back in return. Simply no one to take his spot.
Barron – should be traded.
Marchessessessessaulteaux – launch him into the sun, but try to trade him first if he’s willing.
Perbix – he’s been solid for most part of this year, but not a difference maker. Trade him.
ROR – should be traded, but he’ll be the 1C here until he retires probably.
Skjei – make that rocket you put JM on a 2 seater and he can go too, but he’s not going to waive NMC.
McCarron – should be traded. I think he’s been great this year in his role and playing expanded minutes too. He is a player who can be replaced though. Jost or Edstrom (MAYBE) can take the 4th line.
Smith – know he’s a fan favorite nowadays, but he can be replaced by younger guys with more upside. Trade him.
Not going to talk about any of the other NMC people, because honestly I don’t see any of them waiving to be traded.
I remember this book! Andrew Brunette and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
It genuinely seems like Trotz’ goal is to set up the franchise as best he can for success going forward. So I’d say, sell off the obvious guys. Bunting, McCarron, Perbix, Barron, Marchy if possible and he wants out like suspected.
When it comes to O’Reilly/ Stamkos, I think sitting tight unless an unreal deal comes along is the right call. Let the next GM with their own vision decide what to do with them, unless an offer too good to pass on comes up.