harper44
Well-Known Member
That forward group is way too similar to this year. How'd that go? When the coach says the core is "stale" and it needs to be changed then it needs to be changed. Coaches don't say that for nothing. Look at past three seasons man. How on earth can you say all we need is supporting cast for core? Mind = boggled
I'm not sure how you think the group you proposed with Stasny and Sutter is better than the group I proposed. This team is not going to make changes just for the sake of making them. They are going to make changes if theres something available that makes the team better and Sutter for Kesler is not an improvement by anyones account, even with the addition of a couple of late first round picks in weak drafts. If Sutter was playing on a team like Buffalo or Florida, maybe you would have a case.
I'm not about to questions the mind of a coach who is about to get fired after one season...
2011-2012: Wins presidents trophy, starts playoffs without #1 forward and looses to eventual Stanley Cup Champion
2012-2013: Wins division championship in 48 game season, sucks in first round sweep (admittedly poor)
2013-2014: First half of season: team in top 5 in west, Sedins and Kesler in top 20 in league scoring, Santorelli on pace for 50+ points. Injuries challenge the depth and the team goes in the toilet in second half and trades away their franchise goalie at the deadline.
In my mind, Injuries exposed the lack of depth up front on this team and all top 4 Dmen had probably their career worst seasons at the same time. This is not a 24th ranked squad as is and should have at minimum picked up a wildcard spot for playoffs. With some more depth in case of injury and the Defense playing the way they can, this team will be back in the playoffs next year without a doubt. What is needed to compete in the western conference is a 4 line rotation.
You guys seem to forget everyone in Chicago screaming that they should trade Kane for Luongo after they got knocked out of the playoffs in the first round in 2011 and 2012. Teams don't and shouldn't make moves like that, you have to look at the big picture. This team is nowhere near as skilled as Chicago, but they don't have to be. They just have to get deeper and play a 4 line game.
The free agent pool looks pretty shallow this summer, if I was going to spend money anywhere I would look for a tender with solid experience to split time with Lack while he builds his resume. A guy like Hiller or Halak fits that description pretty well I think.
The most expendable guy on this squad I think is Edler IF he can bring good value on the trade market. He can't seem to bring his game back to his pre-surgery form on a consistant basis and may benefit greatly from a change in scenery as he does still show flashes of that. If he can bring some solid prospects it would be worth trading him.
Weather you agree or not, this team will not sell their core and rebuild. It's not going to happen in the foreseeable future. If they trade Kesler it will be because he wants out of town and for no other reason.