Smolinski or Malik...

Cap'n' Clutch wrote:

PKC wrote:

I see a defensive unit that is going to be especially solid in its own end, but provide almost zero on the offensive side of the puck.

Agreed. We have Schubert, Nycholat, Bell and Lee all fighting for 2 spots on the bottom pair, adding Malik to the mix doesn't make sense to me.

Doubly agreed here. Malik's OK, but we've already got our defensive-Dmen ready. That 6th spot needs to go to someone who can move the puck and help create a little offense. I think it's going to come down to Nycholat and Schubert in all probability. Nycholat just might have the inside track here because of what he can bring to the table offensively. I mean, 49 points in 77 games in the AHL is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure that won't translate 1-for-1 in the NHL, but if he can put up 30 point for us in that 6th spot without being any worse defensively than Corvo back there, then why not go with him?

If Schubert moves to the wing, however, that means another forward will get squeezed out...

I think it's going to be Nycholat as well. I do think that if Schubert could put it together and be our 6th D and bring some offense that he'd be the better option just due to his nastiness and his size.

I'm fine with neither of 'em. I don't know why but I am very confident in the way we stand right now, minus the mezaros situation. The more this goes on, the more i just want him to sit, because im losing my patience. sign or peace out, you're not Sundin. But other than i like what we have to draw from, and for me, bring on training camp :D :drunken:

I think if Murray determines Mesz will sit then he'll pick up a stopgap puck moving D that can fill in while Mesz pouts.

rooneypoo wrote:

Cap'n' Clutch wrote:

PKC wrote:

I see a defensive unit that is going to be especially solid in its own end, but provide almost zero on the offensive side of the puck.

Agreed. We have Schubert, Nycholat, Bell and Lee all fighting for 2 spots on the bottom pair, adding Malik to the mix doesn't make sense to me.

Doubly agreed here. Malik's OK, but we've already got our defensive-Dmen ready. That 6th spot needs to go to someone who can move the puck and help create a little offense. I think it's going to come down to Nycholat and Schubert in all probability. Nycholat just might have the inside track here because of what he can bring to the table offensively. I mean, 49 points in 77 games in the AHL is nothing to sneeze at. I'm sure that won't translate 1-for-1 in the NHL, but if he can put up 30 point for us in that 6th spot without being any worse defensively than Corvo back there, then why not go with him?

If Schubert moves to the wing, however, that means another forward will get squeezed out...

I think I heard somewhere from a B. Murray interview that they intend to play Nycholat this year. Which means we have a ridiculous logjam at the bottom 6. Schubert, Winchester, Bass, Neil, Kelly, Foligno, Zubov, Nikulin, Donovan, and Ruutu; not to mention we still need another top 6 if we don't plan on taking a chance on one of Foligno, Zubov or Nikulin.

PKC wrote:

I think I heard somewhere from a B. Murray interview that they intend to play Nycholat this year. Which means we have a ridiculous logjam at the bottom 6. Schubert, Winchester, Bass, Neil, Kelly, Foligno, Zubov, Nikulin, Donovan, and Ruutu; not to mention we still need another top 6 if we don't plan on taking a chance on one of Foligno, Zubov or Nikulin.

My guess is that we give Foligno/Winchester the audition on the 2nd line to start, but I'm just guessing. A lot depends, obviously, on how they do at camp.

It's a bit of problem we face in the bottom 6F, tho', if Nycholat does take the 6th D spot and pushes Schubert to wing. At the moment, you'd have to think that Kelly, Neil, Donovan, Ruutu, McAmmond, and Schubert would all be locks for the bottom 6F. That leaves leaves no room for Bass, Winchester/Foligno, Zubov, or Nikulin.

I can't see anyone upstaging Kelly (new deal, too valuable), Ruutu (new deal), Schubert (wayyy too valuable, will probably play D on the PK if Nycholat is our 6th D), or Donovan (new deal) to take their spots. I can't imagine anyone taking away Neil's or McAmmond's spots, either.

That means we 1) start moving some guys (McAmmond?), either through trades or waivers, to make room, 2) regularly carry an extra forward (Bass? Winchester?) on the roster to create internal competition for roster spots, or 3) send all the young guys down.

I don't see an easy solution to all this.

rooneypoo wrote:

PKC wrote:

I think I heard somewhere from a B. Murray interview that they intend to play Nycholat this year. Which means we have a ridiculous logjam at the bottom 6. Schubert, Winchester, Bass, Neil, Kelly, Foligno, Zubov, Nikulin, Donovan, and Ruutu; not to mention we still need another top 6 if we don't plan on taking a chance on one of Foligno, Zubov or Nikulin.

My guess is that we give Foligno/Winchester the audition on the 2nd line to start, but I'm just guessing. A lot depends, obviously, on how they do at camp.

It's a bit of problem we face in the bottom 6F, tho', if Nycholat does take the 6th D spot and pushes Schubert to wing. At the moment, you'd have to think that Kelly, Neil, Donovan, Ruutu, McAmmond, and Schubert would all be locks for the bottom 6F. That leaves leaves no room for Bass, Winchester/Foligno, Zubov, or Nikulin.

I can't see anyone upstaging Kelly (new deal, too valuable), Ruutu (new deal), Schubert (wayyy too valuable, will probably play D on the PK if Nycholat is our 6th D), or Donovan (new deal) to take their spots. I can't imagine anyone taking away Neil's or McAmmond's spots, either.

That means we 1) start moving some guys (McAmmond?), either through trades or waivers, to make room, 2) regularly carry an extra forward (Bass? Winchester?) on the roster to create internal competition for roster spots, or 3) send all the young guys down.

I don't see an easy solution to all this.

Well said. I truly believe someone has to be moved before the season starts. I think McAmmond is of no use anymore, to be honest. We have several players that can fill his role for roughly the same price, if not cheaper. Also, if the right deal comes along, I could see Neil being moved, especially with Ruutu in town for the next 3 years. Kelly is a mainstay on the third line for the next 4 years, and Donovan is almost certainly a fourth liner.

And now that I think of it, is it possible B doesn't think that any of the young guys are ready for full-time duty?

PKC wrote:

Well said. I truly believe someone has to be moved before the season starts. I think McAmmond is of no use anymore, to be honest. We have several players that can fill his role for roughly the same price, if not cheaper. Also, if the right deal comes along, I could see Neil being moved, especially with Ruutu in town for the next 3 years. Kelly is a mainstay on the third line for the next 4 years, and Donovan is almost certainly a fourth liner.

And now that I think of it, is it possible B doesn't think that any of the young guys are ready for full-time duty?

It's possible, I grant, but I really hope that's not the case. Our young players will never develop if we don't at least give them the space to create opportunities for themselves. I love McAmmond, but if he comes in the way of a spot for Bass or Winchester, I would say we have to move him. It's too early, I think, to give up on Neil, and if the recent signings are any indication, Kelly, Ruutu, Donovan, and Schubert aren't going anywhere; that only leaves McAmmond.

It would be a mistake, I think, to not make at least one roster spot available this year so we get to see the best man step up and grab it. Some of our top prospects, especially Zubov and Nikulin, are going to get antsy before long when there's the potential for so much money right now in the KHL.

I can't believe I'm saying this. I really love McAmmond. I just don't see any alternatives at the moment.

I've figured since this team started taking shape in the off-season that McAmmond might be on the outisde. I agree with you, if it comes down to McAmmond or one of the youngsters for the final spot: I say we trade McAmmond and try out the youngsters.