Id rather do it via trade to "help" one team that has cap problems atm, just like we did with Walman. And worst case scenario, you can play Thompson there. But I think a trade is the best case scenario, and avoid overpaying in FA
I agree with your thought of the right side of the defense being the biggest need remaining. And, as you have pointed out, the FAs left are not really going to improve from what we currently have. Taking your description of the RDs available I would agree that Schultz would be the best pickup and I also agree that a one year deal would be what should be offered with a higher price tag. One of the reasons the right side is so critical is that Benning is coming off of an injury that kept him out the entire year. As was seen with other players, it takes time for a player to get their game back. This makes it even more critical. As of now, our top two are Rutta and Emberson (who also did not play at the end of the season and could not stay healthy either). So, we have two players coming back from injury and one player who is a third pair RD. That is VERY weak to start the season. The Sharks could call up Thompson from the Cuda and they will most likely play some of their LDs at the right side it does not fill the void. I trust GMMG to find a way to get a defenseman in the end. He has shown to be resourceful using various avenues to grab players. I think we, as fans, have to be patient and see what GMMG can pull out of his hat. The other need is the third goalie and I liked the idea floated on the Fin Factor of trying to trade for Nashville Goalie Yaroslav Askarov. Nashville signed two goalies that will be ahead of him for multiple seasons and he is a goalie that should be a starter sooner rather than later. Seems like something we do not need but Romanov and Chrona are too far off to hope they could be a backup after this season and Yaroslav would be ready. We could play the two goalie we have and choose to keep the best. Blackwood's contract ends at the end of next season and Vanacek's goes for one more. It might be good to let both play for the season and keep the best of the two. Either trade of let the other goalie walk after the season. Then have Yaroslav take over the backup role with the idea that he becomes the starter. This provides the time needed to develop Chrona and Romanov. I thought it would be a good idea. What Yaroslav would cost? I have no idea, but from his social media postings he does not appear to be happy and he is a really good young goalie.
I think yaroslav is a move Mike NEEDS to make. We have a TON of assets that could be enticing and would be well worth it for the goalie of the future that we don’t have. I’m sure he’s poking around.
I was surprised he said that he's pretty much done with the big stuff. I felt like he coulda had one of these D as part of a signing. But if there wasnt much interest then there's not much we can do. 🤷
I feel like Grier might just not sign anyone and try to add a younger barracuda talent on the back end. Not really sure why he didn’t try to add a defensive piece on the 1st, but it’s what it’s
@Chaotic8 I agree it’s frustrating to constantly see the taller player picked over who seems to maybe be the better player in the long run.. (Dickenson over Buium, we’ll see) …… BUT, if that’s the worst mistake Mike G ever makes (which so far he’s been 100% perfect in his decisions), then I’ll definitely live with that. (And btw, it might not even end up being a mistake, right). But, if that’s our GM’s biggest mistake during our rebuild and eventual cup window… I’ll take that all day. That would mean he’s doing a really, really unbelievable job.
I was surprised he said that he's pretty much done with the big stuff. I felt like he coulda had one of these D as part of a signing. But if there wasnt much interest then there's not much we can do. 🤷
Id rather do it via trade to "help" one team that has cap problems atm, just like we did with Walman. And worst case scenario, you can play Thompson there. But I think a trade is the best case scenario, and avoid overpaying in FA
My guess is Grier will try to improve the defense via trade. Free agents look pretty weak.
I agree with your thought of the right side of the defense being the biggest need remaining. And, as you have pointed out, the FAs left are not really going to improve from what we currently have.
Taking your description of the RDs available I would agree that Schultz would be the best pickup and I also agree that a one year deal would be what should be offered with a higher price tag.
One of the reasons the right side is so critical is that Benning is coming off of an injury that kept him out the entire year. As was seen with other players, it takes time for a player to get their game back. This makes it even more critical. As of now, our top two are Rutta and Emberson (who also did not play at the end of the season and could not stay healthy either).
So, we have two players coming back from injury and one player who is a third pair RD. That is VERY weak to start the season. The Sharks could call up Thompson from the Cuda and they will most likely play some of their LDs at the right side it does not fill the void.
I trust GMMG to find a way to get a defenseman in the end. He has shown to be resourceful using various avenues to grab players. I think we, as fans, have to be patient and see what GMMG can pull out of his hat.
The other need is the third goalie and I liked the idea floated on the Fin Factor of trying to trade for Nashville Goalie Yaroslav Askarov. Nashville signed two goalies that will be ahead of him for multiple seasons and he is a goalie that should be a starter sooner rather than later.
Seems like something we do not need but Romanov and Chrona are too far off to hope they could be a backup after this season and Yaroslav would be ready. We could play the two goalie we have and choose to keep the best. Blackwood's contract ends at the end of next season and Vanacek's goes for one more.
It might be good to let both play for the season and keep the best of the two. Either trade of let the other goalie walk after the season. Then have Yaroslav take over the backup role with the idea that he becomes the starter. This provides the time needed to develop Chrona and Romanov.
I thought it would be a good idea. What Yaroslav would cost? I have no idea, but from his social media postings he does not appear to be happy and he is a really good young goalie.
I think yaroslav is a move
Mike NEEDS to make. We have a TON of assets that could be enticing and would be well worth it for the goalie of the future that we don’t have. I’m sure he’s poking around.
Unrelated to this episode, but curious about your thoughts on how high the vegas pick might end up being
The hope is similar to the Penguins situation this year
I was surprised he said that he's pretty much done with the big stuff. I felt like he coulda had one of these D as part of a signing. But if there wasnt much interest then there's not much we can do. 🤷
I feel like Grier might just not sign anyone and try to add a younger barracuda talent on the back end. Not really sure why he didn’t try to add a defensive piece on the 1st, but it’s what it’s
Cagnoni!! If he’ll play the right side…
Is the Merkley window still open
net
Inwould like to give Boqvist a shot! Think last year was a bad development year and he has more talent than what we’ve seen
I like the Idea of using our waiver privilege to pick Up a nice piece. Like we did with Emberson last year.
Bring up Thompson. Last year of his ELC
Can’t lie, while being in attendance, Grier passing on Zeev was disappointing
@Chaotic8 I agree it’s frustrating to constantly see the taller player picked over who seems to maybe be the better player in the long run.. (Dickenson over Buium, we’ll see) …… BUT, if that’s the worst mistake Mike G ever makes (which so far he’s been 100% perfect in his decisions), then I’ll definitely live with that. (And btw, it might not even end up being a mistake, right).
But, if that’s our GM’s biggest mistake during our rebuild and eventual cup window… I’ll take that all day. That would mean he’s doing a really, really unbelievable job.
Oof… bleak. I wonder if we can pick someone up via trade instead.
Damn we have too many fighting for a spot.
Tony DeAngelo is still without contract
Not helping the culture
Stay away from Klingberg. He will be an overpay and was not good before his injury in Toronto.
I was surprised he said that he's pretty much done with the big stuff. I felt like he coulda had one of these D as part of a signing. But if there wasnt much interest then there's not much we can do. 🤷