Quoting: Gronk
Thoughts on this team for next year?
First I like what you have done so a lot of it would be tweaking what you have done. At first I thought you $ were way outta wack but after ready your explanation its more possible. I would pass myself on Gardiner, i think hes going to be expensive and last year he had some bad defensive plays
Goaltending-
Kinkaid is a really good backup and can hold the top spot for a while but he's not a guy you can ride through the POs, as last year showed.
He could probably start on some teams, if he is moved I like to see it to Long Island for Eberle. Everyone wins.
Schneider needs his confidence back, they play like crap in front of him. He did not fall off that quick. His surgery is a half year time frame to be ready, and hes been thrown to the wolves somewhat. He MUST play better too so its not just everyone else. I don't see a team taking him with the term and dollars left. Blackwood just got called up (Schneider on IR) They have a couple of easy games that he can get into so lets see if we have something. Schneider/Blackwood tandem next year
Forwards-
Still need more scoring. Duchene Stone are great adds if we can get them. Hallsy has to take them both out and show them around like they did to Butcher to get them onboard. I'd like to see a add like Burakosky guys who have fell out of favor but still have it. He's Swiss so that would help Nico.
Defense-
I will be in the minority here but I would consider moving Vatanen. My scenario has him going to Edm (yeah I know, never happening) for Nurse. Reason being is we have a lot of smallish offensive minded D men (Butcher, Smith on his way) Severson is bigger but O minded. Nurse is big and nasty, a great skater, currently eating up 22-24 min per night AND getting on the scoresheet too. Edm needed Right D before Klef and Russell (both L) got hurt this weekend. So that idea is shot. I like Mueller but could use a better version of him. Yako too is ok. next year for me it would be Nurse/Butcher/Smith on the left and Severson/Santini/trade for Honka or similar on the right. That does not take into account 2 guys who I think will get looks on D, Josh Jacobs RHD (he's about done, time to show your work) and Colby Sissons, LHD who was lighting it up on the Bronco team he was on (13-58-71) before Binghamton. I am not sure they could do it but if they could move Andy Greene with a little retention, they should. Then bring him back as the D coach and lose Coach Nas