What I would do with this team this summer: Start by going for a stud-defenseman: First thing I’m doing is packaging Gardiner + Kadri + 1st round pick this season (or Gauthier, 1st round pick of last season if they prefer, might have to move both) and offering for each of these players in this order. (I realize getting a stud-defenseman is near impossible through trade, but this is my first target list in this order). Pietrangelo Keith Weber Fowler Doughty Ekman-Larsson Jones (High draft pick for Aaron Eckblad) If that doesn’t work then I’ll package Gardiner with a pick, or prospect for anyone on this list, going down in this order: Shattenkirk McDonagh Yandle Vlasic Seabrook Lindholm Hamilton Maata Trouba Murray Finally just Gardiner straight up for one of these two if all else fails. Giordano Boumeester The reason I am saying Gardiner, is nothing against him, I love the player, but to get value we need to give up value. We have a similar player in Reilly already, and realistically it will provide the team much more value to have a stud-defenseman who can play a lot of minutes for a long time, rather than another risky defenseman who can chip in with goals throughout the year. Next after getting the stud defenseman, I’m re-signing Bolland (hopefully around 4.5, letting him walk if he wants anything over 5), re-signing McLement (hopefully around 2, letting him walk if it’s anything more than 2.75) Resign Kulemin (around 2.5-2.75) Resign Franson to another short-term deal (apparently he’s been playing with an injury all year and it’s why he can’t really skate anymore) – give him another short-term deal around 2.5. Re-sign Raymond if he will take anything less than 3. Trying to give away David Clarkson for free to anyone who will listen, or go back in a time-machine and never sign that ridiculous contract for an over-rated player. Also giving away Tim Gleason to anyone who will listen, or waivers whatever it will take (maybe Edmonton will be interested in both those players for free) Sign Paul Stastny to a deal, if he hits free agency, hopefully somewhere around 5.5-6 million (only if we deal Kadri for one of those top defensemen, otherwise Kadri will stay in the 2 spot for now) Sign either Downie or Ott to a deal for somewhere around 2.8 -3 million Bring in a player like Niskanen/Nikitin (3 million) Try to re-sign Reimer for around (2) to be the backup again, if he won’t resign we can move it (possibly as an incentive to take Clarkson off our hands) and if not, bring in a back-up goalie such as Greiss/Johnson/Emery (2) With Cap going up to a projected $71/72 million Team looks like this (I have just put the first player from each wanted list, however where I have inserted for example, Downie, Pietrangelo, Niskanen, Greiss… could all be any of those players from the list, just want that type of player in that spot for around that price): JVR (4.25) Bozak (4.2) Kessel (8) Lupul (5.25) Statsny (5.75) Raymond (2.8) Downie (3) Bolland (4.5) Kulemin (2.5) Bodie (0.9) McClement (2) Orr (0.9) Pietrangelo (6.5) Reilly (0.8) Phaneuf (7) Gunnarsson (3.1) Franson (2.5) Niskanen (3) Bernier (2.9) Greiss (2) Team Salary: $71.85 Now we have a team that I think Carlyle can fully work with. We have our top line that can hopefully keep producing, a second line that should be able to chip in with some good secondary scoring and needs to remain defensively responsible, a third line that can go against the other team’s top lines and maybe chip in with a goal once in a while, and then an energy line (of course with our PK machine Jay McClement).Can also keep these lines together for PP, with #1 line going first, #2 line remaining intact for the second PP unit. McClement and Kulemin 1st PK unit, Bozak and Downie the 2nd unit, and Bolland + Raymond the 3rd unit.. On defense, we have brought in a stud-defenseman to play about 25 minutes a game against the other team’s top players, should give Phaneuf more of a rest (he plays his best when he plays around 20-22 minutes a game it seems) and he can go against other team’s second lines with Gunnarsson (those two would be fantastic shutting down secondary scoring) and Reilly can be brought up with the top defenseman, and should be able to take on a bigger role next season. Then we have Franson, who we’re keeping around for PP time, and hopefully he can find his game again, play another shut-down role with Niskanen, and also chip in with a bit of offense. Niskanen, with a stud-defenseman could play the first PK shift, with Phaneuf and Gunnarsson going against the second pairing. Reilly and Phaneuf can be the first PP pairing, with the stud-defenseman and Franson going on the second pairing. Then we have our top flight goalie back in net, still at a pretty fair price, and we need a solid and reliable back-up with some good experience as well. I think this team is pretty balanced, brings a lot of strong elements, and can work in with our coach pretty well. We should be much better defensively, and if we can shore up our: 28th in the league PK – have to become top 10 26th in the league goals against – need to be top 10 30th in the league shots against – this needs a ton of improvement 29th in the league giveaways – needs to be top 10 Improve slightly: 12th in the league goals for – needs to be top 10 And maintain our: 5th in the league takeaways 4th in the league blocked shots 4th in the league power play 3rd in the league shootouts
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 12:55:40 +0000
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