I randomly chose players and threw them on this team. Your job is to give your opinion on what you would do with this team as well as answer the following questions:
If this was your team what would you do?
What is the state of this team? Ex: Rebuilder
What would the trade block look like?
What is the team needs? Ex: Top 6 Forward
What is the state of this team?
I think this is a playoff team. This isn't your Lightning, Bruins, Golden knights team or whatever, but I think they're leaning more towards playoffs than wildcard.
What would the trade block look like?
I'd be ready to ship most players except Pettersson, Merzlikins, Cozens, Schmaltz, Spurgeon, Orlov and Boqvist.
What is the team needs?
I think one more third liner RW or C, and optimally a top LW and RW depending on who goes. Another goalie for next year is nice - I think tandems work better than pure starter and backup setup.
Johnson or someone for a LD would be optimal too, but realistically maybe Pionk for like a #4 LHD is more likely. If FA's are available I'd go for someone like Dadonov or Granlund if he's cheaper. You have to have room for Petterssons coming 10m+ deal, but with that already available along with Rinne and Nemeth being up next year I think you have the room.
I’d play Ferraro with Johnson on the 2nd pair and Nemeth with Pionk on the 3rd pair. I’d trade Boqvist and Wood for a top line LW to play with Pettersson and Cozens. Then I’d sign a cheap 3RW in free agency with the cap space left
I’d play Ferraro with Johnson on the 2nd pair and Nemeth with Pionk on the 3rd pair. I’d trade Boqvist and Wood for a top line LW to play with Pettersson and Cozens. Then I’d sign a cheap 3RW in free agency with the cap space left
I don't necessarily disagree, but Boqvist getting some PP time on a solid team (like I think this is) could skyrocket his value. Maybe it's better to make an in-season trade after doing that instead. Pionk is kinda meh - he's like a secondary assist collecting specialist, so you could do what I suggested for Boqvist with him too. Anything that resembles Colorado's Saad trade would be amazing for this team.
The reason I play Wood on the top line is honestly cause I think Pettersson can make him look great. Miller is good but he looks amazing playing with EP. But I don't really disagree with you, I think Ferraro is perfectly fine. I also think Nemeth can hold his own on a defensively minded 2nd or 3rd pairing - I guess that's why playing him with Pionk makes little sense.