Quoting: WildLineup
Can Soucy and Seeler really take over Top 4 minutes from Brodin? and what if Suter gets injured? I dont think they are ready for Top 2 minutes. Also Minnesota has already said that they have given up on Galchenyuk.
No. Seeler is the closest but I still wouldn't trust him playing 18+ minutes on a regular basis. Soucy is nowhere near ready for that kind of ice yet. Belpedio probably needs at least a few months in the AHL before seeing NHL time again (even on the 3rd pair) without being forced by injuries.
Considering Suter may not be ready for the start of the season while recovering from his broken ankle and fibula, there is a very real possibility that the Brodin is 1LD on opening night. If he were traded, that means Seeler is 1LD, Soucy is 2LD, and Olofsson is 3LD. That is absolutely terrifying. According to Russo, it would be shocking if Brodin gets traded. Once Suter comes back from injury, we have no idea how it would affect his play. If he is limited in any way, then that thrusts the next best LD into an even more elevated role. At the very least, Brodin needs to be kept as insurance for Suter's future. Brodin is and always has been Suter's future replacement. I don't believe anyone else in the organization could fill that role right now.
As for Galchenyuk, yes we moved away from him quickly last offseason due to off ice issues (a reported history of substance abuse). If they feel satisfied that this is no longer a problem, I could see them trying to work out a deal. Montreal was going hard after Coyle at the deadline. Personally, I think it would be a terrible idea to trade any significant assets for Pacioretty. If we were to deal Coyle, I could easily see it being for Galchenyuk (assuming his off ice issues have been resolved) at the draft.
McDavid, Connor
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