I would do all of this. One question. Do you think your under utilizing schmaltz at wing? Face offs are such a small part of hockey that most sabremetrics people call face offs irrelevant. I'm some where in between on that, but we can't ignore how Q likes his centers. Defensively responsible is the single most important quality...my interpretation of how he uses centers... Schmaltz does that. He's tremendous with possession and zone entry. He's about to start his 2nd full NHL season. Let's continue to let him grow. He's ribiero, but better already. He's an assist guy not a sniper. Put him next to Whalstrom...if they get him.

That's a very good comparison. He's much more two way than Ribeiro, however, one of the most important facets of the game is face offs. Did you catch the last say 20 seconds of game 5? Vegas had 3 or 4 offensive zone draws and lost every one. The caps easily burned the remaining time and won the cup. I know Schmaltz has a really good 200 foot game, so did Hossa, but that doesn't mean they have to play C. I also think the hawks fastest players need to get on the wings to generate more speed. That was another large problem for the hawks this past season. They looked very slow.

Isles pass

Really? I think that's a really good offer. Forsling put up 14 points in 41 games while Pelech put up 19 in 78 games. Forsling is younger with a much higher ceiling than Pelech. Murphy is a good stay at home D man that won't get injured like Boychuk. Duclair is a nice fast winger to compliment Barzal.

Yeah I get where you’re coming from but if they’re gonna Trade a lottery pick they better get a goalie. Murphy is alright but makes too much money in an salary cap world to be alright and Pelech is what the Isles need more of, a stay at home dman that is cost controlled.

It is the quantity vs quality debate. Islanders don't need a bunch of nice but low level impact players. The value of a lottery pick should be used to add a Top pairing defensemen or a goalie.

Sure, but NYI needs quantity. They need NHL help all over the place. In goal would indeed be their 1st priority, but getting help in general can help entice Tavares to sign. Last place on defense is bad.

Also Nick...i don't think your example of face offs is very valid. LVK is 22nd in the nhl for faceoffs and made it to the Stanley cup finals. The capitals are 13th. Also, schmaltz wouldn't be on the ice in that position. It would be toews.

You have a good point, Schmaltz would likely be on the wing. But what happens when a face off is on the right side where a right hander is on this strong side? I can see the argument for both sides. It is a good idea to develop Schmaltz as a C, but I'm also afraid he turns into a Ryan Spooner sequel player.

But they really don't. None of those guys are impact players. DuClair is

But they don't. None of these player acquired bump any one out of the Top 6 or our Top 4 defenseman (if de Haan stays). It is questionable if Duclair even could crack the Top 9.

Kotkaniemi is a center