My fault, didn't see this response.....
Quoting: keepcalmandbergeron
Curious as to why you are having such concerns over Colin Miller. The way I see it he is the most realistic solution to fix the defense(the other fixes being Shattenkirk or Fowler, Trouba is out of reach because the B's don't have a comparable LHD to trade back).
I think Colin is very talented, and has top 4 potential, but until he proves it at the NHL level, you have to have concerns whether he can handle a top 4 spot. a 3rd pairing defenseman? I easily think he is that right now. Maybe the plan is to put him on the 3rd pair (and use Kevan and McQuaid as the top 4 right side guys, but yuck.....) For my mock, he's basically been "thrown to the wolves" in a top pairing position.
Quote: I am hoping for a Pastrnak/Vatrano-like season from Heinen this year, that being starting in the AHL and finishing in the NHL(40 games, 20 points). Hudler is growing on me to play with Bergeron and Marchand if no trade for a D happens. It would have to be for cheap and only one year.
I think the best route for Heinen is just that, start in the AHL -- work himself into an NHL spot -- but I think there is a good chance he makes the team out of camp. A lot has been made of Heinen's hockey IQ (on top of the skill) and with that, many think he could easily play in a bottom 6 (4th line) spot to start, and work his way up; a la marchand. Where ever he starts, I look forward to his development.
Quote: As for Lindholm, I think he's out of reach too. The Ducks do want a young cheap forward with cap going out to fit their internal cap and resign both Rakell and Lindholm. Even if their internal cap is say $67M, they have to move 2 of Vatanen, Fowler, Despres, Stoner, Silfverberg or Cogliano. Despres' head is soft, they just resigned Silfverberg and Vatanen, Cogliano checks to many boxes to trade, Thompson goes on the LTIR and the Bieksa signing is a real head scratcher for me. They have Montour and Theodore waiting to move up soon too, they will have to move D. By my count that leaves Fowler and Stoner as the movers, maybe as a package. Lindholm is too good to trade away.
I said in another thread, that until he's signed longterm, he's available (and in this case, not out of reach). We have plenty of young cheap forwards to send them (Pastrnak being the best chip; and the only time I would move him in a trade). Stoner is going to be a hard piece to move, and if you're packaging him with Fowler, it will decrease the return on Fowler. Bruins have pieces to move for either Lindholm or Fowler...I guess it'd be Sweeney's call whether he wants to give them up.