I haven't liked niemelainen game for most of the season thus far. While I'm OK with a inexperienced player going threw some learning curves can live with that this roster can absorb and get past some mistakes I'm starting to believe the road he needs to travel to be the player we need from him is longer than hoped. At the very least that pairing needs to be shuffled up. As much as I fully support Barrie and like his game he is not equipped to defend against situations I personally feel niemelainen is directly responsible for causing. I don't want to see niemelainen be told not to jump in plays or join rushes we need to see his capabilities but seeing him do that while Barrie is the other choice and only guy back.... I love woody but think it's fair to expect better decision making from him.
Nurse Barrie pairing has worked before very good blend of skill think both players compliment each others weaker areas.
Niemelainen ceci would just better our odds recovering from inexperienced mistakes.
Some may see it differently but that's my hot take on a positive Friday.

I agree with your perception of the Barrie Niem pairing. Not the right combo at all, both have defensive deficiencies and Niem has alot more growing to do. I also think he still has some decent value and trying to balance money and roster he is the most likely casualty in my opinion. UFA Murray wouldn't hold any value beyond a roster spot in a trade. Foegele, although I feel playing his role decently right now, could likely use a change. Also freeing up that money for next year to either resign Soucy or use for whatever would be nice. What are you feelings on the trade? Work for the oilers?

I'd try to simplify the trade a bit foegele+2nd for soucy would be OK in my opinion. Doubt niemelainen has much value since he's sorta a tweener at this point. Better off sending him down and see how he grows his game from this experience. Isn't someone I'd just completely give up on has some interesting tools to work with. I'm still 50-50 just some line juggling will correct the issues I personally have.

Then who would come up to play forward? Janmark is too expensive unless they get a bit more cap space. Kostin?

Holloway can take foegeles top nine spot. 11-7. Benson and Malone could be 4th line options threw the season. Is cheap decent internal options.