The Heatley Saga: What's in store in the next 30 days?

hemlock wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I haven't seen any evidence that Cheechoo has ever played on the LW, which is the only place you could put him on either of the Top 2 lines.

I think we're headed for another revolving door of wingers for a 2nd line centered by Fisher if this deal isn't done right.

Foligno is listed as a LW on cap central. What's the problem with:

Foligno-Fisher-Cheechoo

?

As a 2nd line? Fine. And when that doesn't work out, and it won't, what do you do?

Despite what's been discussed here, I don't think either Alfredsson or Kovalev will be switching wings. They are your 1st and 2nd line RWs, respectively, in whatever order.

wprager wrote:

hemlock wrote:
There's room on the top two lines for Cheechoo. Put him on the top line with Spezza. We've seen what he's capable of with a playmaker. And he'd have Alfie on that line too. If not, you could play AK27 there and put Cheechoo on line 2 with Fisher and Foligno. I like Shannon, but I am not convinced he can stand up to a full year playing 2nd line minutes. Cheechoo can. Plus his work ethic would fit right in with Foligno and Fisher. That's a really nice 2nd line, especially with teams keying in on the top line.

Vlasic replaces Karlsson. Sorry, but it's not that I don't think he's ready, I just think another year playing huge minutes in the SEL would benefit him more.

Kuba-Vlasic
Philchenkov
Campoli-Lee/Picard/Smith

Lee can be sent down. And Smith may start the season on LTIR. Problem solved.

That's it in a nutshell, isn't it? We can supplement Shannon's minutes by having him man the blue-line on the 2nd PP unit. He'll get his ice time without adding risk injury.

Although I would dearly love to keep the FFS line together. Maybe a a 2B line?

I think something will have to be done. I really have my doubts that he can withstand the punishment of an 82 schedule, especially on a line that's going to crash and bang like Foligno and Fisher will. We will need someone that can step in there when needed. Definitely giving him PP2 minutes will help keep his minutes up though. Question is, if we need to spot him out off that line from time to time, who steps in? Winchester, Ruutu, Regin? Or do we use a little bit of cap space to call up Zubov (assuming he is in Bingo again, because I don't see a spot for him)?

SeawaySensFan wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I haven't seen any evidence that Cheechoo has ever played on the LW, which is the only place you could put him on either of the Top 2 lines.

I think we're headed for another revolving door of wingers for a 2nd line centered by Fisher if this deal isn't done right.

Foligno is listed as a LW on cap central. What's the problem with:

Foligno-Fisher-Cheechoo

?

As a 2nd line? Fine. And when that doesn't work out, and it won't, what do you do?

Despite what's been discussed here, I don't think either Alfredsson or Kovalev will be switching wings. They are your 1st and 2nd line RWs, respectively, in whatever order.

You sound pretty certain that it won't work out. Why? I think that Cheechoo, with his scoring ability and hard work, would really compliment Fisher and Foligno, and vice versa.

I'm not putting any stock into this Alfie and Kovy as exclusively RW thing. Guys play out of position all the time. Great players will make it work. Heatley is a natural RW and he doesn't seem to struggle on the LW does he? I don't think this is an issue at all.

The only way I want Kovy, Spezza and Alfie together anyway is if we've got a solid 2nd line that can take some of the scoring heat off the top unit. Otherwise, we'll see teams load up, shut down the top line and beat us because we have no other lines that can score consistently.

SeawaySensFan wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I haven't seen any evidence that Cheechoo has ever played on the LW, which is the only place you could put him on either of the Top 2 lines.

I think we're headed for another revolving door of wingers for a 2nd line centered by Fisher if this deal isn't done right.

Foligno is listed as a LW on cap central. What's the problem with:

Foligno-Fisher-Cheechoo

?

As a 2nd line? Fine. And when that doesn't work out, and it won't, what do you do?

Despite what's been discussed here, I don't think either Alfredsson or Kovalev will be switching wings. They are your 1st and 2nd line RWs, respectively, in whatever order.

Agreed. 4 Top 6 Positions are locked in. Alfie/Kovy RWs. Spezza C. Foligno LW.

It will take an act of God to move Fisher to the LW, so reasonably we need a top 6 LW to fill out all 6 spots. Milan Michalek fits the bill, and around we go .....

SeawaySensFan wrote:The only recent mention was on Senschirp about Smith likely starting the season on LITR.

I've seen mention that he'll be on LTIR and that he'll start the season... so who knows...

RobbyJ wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I haven't seen any evidence that Cheechoo has ever played on the LW, which is the only place you could put him on either of the Top 2 lines.

I think we're headed for another revolving door of wingers for a 2nd line centered by Fisher if this deal isn't done right.

Foligno is listed as a LW on cap central. What's the problem with:

Foligno-Fisher-Cheechoo

?

As a 2nd line? Fine. And when that doesn't work out, and it won't, what do you do?

Despite what's been discussed here, I don't think either Alfredsson or Kovalev will be switching wings. They are your 1st and 2nd line RWs, respectively, in whatever order.

Agreed. 4 Top 6 Positions are locked in. Alfie/Kovy RWs. Spezza C. Foligno LW.

It will take an act of God to move Fisher to the LW, so reasonably we need a top 6 LW to fill out all 6 spots. Milan Michalek fits the bill, and around we go .....

Take out the Groulx prospect, substitute Michalek for Cheechoo. Sold.

I like that better than the Cheechoo proposal admittedly.

Speklund says: *I am told that the likely timeframe for Heatley is by week's end because, "One of the players who controls this wants to get his kids settled in and may not waive if it goes beyond Friday."

hemlock wrote:
Take out the Groulx prospect, substitute Michalek for Cheechoo. Sold.

I like that better than the Cheechoo proposal admittedly.

Agreed, but I don't think that SJ is offering him.

I don't understand why we couldn't put Cheechoo on the left wing. It'll be a brand new start- new team, new linemates, new position. Put him with Kovalev and Spezza and watch him get at least 40 goals. If he enjoyed Thornton, he should surely enjoy playing with two of them. If he has that big of a problem with it, then put Kovalev on the left isde.

Then your backup line is Fisher Foligno Alfredsson

Looks pretty good if you ask me.

RobbyJ wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:

hemlock wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:I haven't seen any evidence that Cheechoo has ever played on the LW, which is the only place you could put him on either of the Top 2 lines.

I think we're headed for another revolving door of wingers for a 2nd line centered by Fisher if this deal isn't done right.

Foligno is listed as a LW on cap central. What's the problem with:

Foligno-Fisher-Cheechoo

?

As a 2nd line? Fine. And when that doesn't work out, and it won't, what do you do?

Despite what's been discussed here, I don't think either Alfredsson or Kovalev will be switching wings. They are your 1st and 2nd line RWs, respectively, in whatever order.

Agreed. 4 Top 6 Positions are locked in. Alfie/Kovy RWs. Spezza C. Foligno LW.

It will take an act of God to move Fisher to the LW, so reasonably we need a top 6 LW to fill out all 6 spots. Milan Michalek fits the bill, and around we go .....

Actually, I will play Devil's advocate and say that 5 Top 6 positions are locked in.
Alfie/Spezza/Kovalev/Foligno/...and HEATLEY!

Jordo wrote:

hemlock wrote:
Take out the Groulx prospect, substitute Michalek for Cheechoo. Sold.

I like that better than the Cheechoo proposal admittedly.

Agreed, but I don't think that SJ is offering him.

I don't understand why we couldn't put Cheechoo on the left wing. It'll be a brand new start- new team, new linemates, new position. Put him with Kovalev and Spezza and watch him get at least 40 goals. If he enjoyed Thornton, he should surely enjoy playing with two of them. If he has that big of a problem with it, then put Kovalev on the left isde.

Then your backup line is Fisher Foligno Alfredsson

Looks pretty good if you ask me.

That's what I was saying, except that I had Cheechoo on the Fisher-Foligno line, leaving Kovy on the LW top line.

McGuire hinted at this being a Marleau plus deal which lends a teeny weenie tiny bit of creedence to Eklund's post.... but Eklund is more of a Clearwater Revival. His Stories still have no credence unless it is something he is rereporting that he saw on TSN.ca etc...

hemlock wrote:

That's what I was saying, except that I had Cheechoo on the Fisher-Foligno line, leaving Kovy on the LW top line.

I think you need to put him with playmakers though. Guys who can feed him DIRTY passes. Spezza fits that bill, and so does Kovalev. I think that would be a solid, solid line.

Jordo wrote:

hemlock wrote:

That's what I was saying, except that I had Cheechoo on the Fisher-Foligno line, leaving Kovy on the LW top line.

I think you need to put him with playmakers though. Guys who can feed him DIRTY passes. Spezza fits that bill, and so does Kovalev. I think that would be a solid, solid line.

True and it's not like Alfie wouldn't fit in seemlessly with Fisher and Foligno.

MurderOnIce wrote:McGuire hinted at this being a Marleau plus deal which lends a teeny weenie tiny bit of creedence to Eklund's post.... but Eklund is more of a Clearwater Revival. His Stories still have no credence unless it is something he is rereporting that he saw on TSN.ca etc...

Marleau has kids doesn't he? Does Cheechoo?

MurderOnIce wrote:McGuire hinted at this being a Marleau plus deal which lends a teeny weenie tiny bit of creedence to Eklund's post.... but Eklund is more of a Clearwater Revival. His Stories still have no credence unless it is something he is rereporting that he saw on TSN.ca etc...

Ugh. We're back to Marleau? This better be a bigger deal with SJ taking more of our junk salary and we receive Vlasic+++

I'm so not sold on Marleau it's not even funny. I'd take Cheechoo over him without hesitation.

MurderOnIce wrote:McGuire hinted at this being a Marleau plus deal which lends a teeny weenie tiny bit of creedence to Eklund's post.... but Eklund is more of a Clearwater Revival. His Stories still have no credence unless it is something he is rereporting that he saw on TSN.ca etc...

If that's the case, I want Cheechoo AND Marleau, we'll give them Smith and Schubert. It'll be a pretty even trade cap wise, and we'll bring in two legitimate top 6 guys and give us a lineup of:

Cheechoo-Spezza-Kovalev
Winchester-Marleau-Alfredsson
Foligno-Fisher-Shannon
Ruutu-Bass-Neil

What to do with Kelly is an interesting scenario. We might have to trade him for some prospects. It'll suck to part with him, but man- that lineup gives me shivers.

Jordo wrote:

MurderOnIce wrote:McGuire hinted at this being a Marleau plus deal which lends a teeny weenie tiny bit of creedence to Eklund's post.... but Eklund is more of a Clearwater Revival. His Stories still have no credence unless it is something he is rereporting that he saw on TSN.ca etc...

If that's the case, I want Cheechoo AND Marleau, we'll give them Smith and Schubert. It'll be a pretty even trade cap wise, and we'll bring in two legitimate top 6 guys and give us a lineup of:

Cheechoo-Spezza-Kovalev
Winchester-Marleau-Alfredsson
Foligno-Fisher-Shannon
Ruutu-Bass-Neil

What to do with Kelly is an interesting scenario. We might have to trade him for some prospects. It'll suck to part with him, but man- that lineup gives me shivers.

That's a pretty big step up for Winchester. You think he's up to it?

Jordo wrote:

MurderOnIce wrote:McGuire hinted at this being a Marleau plus deal which lends a teeny weenie tiny bit of creedence to Eklund's post.... but Eklund is more of a Clearwater Revival. His Stories still have no credence unless it is something he is rereporting that he saw on TSN.ca etc...

If that's the case, I want Cheechoo AND Marleau, we'll give them Smith and Schubert. It'll be a pretty even trade cap wise, and we'll bring in two legitimate top 6 guys and give us a lineup of:

Cheechoo-Spezza-Kovalev
Winchester-Marleau-Alfredsson
Foligno-Fisher-Shannon
Ruutu-Bass-Neil

What to do with Kelly is an interesting scenario. We might have to trade him for some prospects. It'll suck to part with him, but man- that lineup gives me shivers.

I would expect them to add Couture and take Kelly instead of Smith personally.

So...

Heatley, Kelly and Schubert

for

Marleau, Cheechoo and Couture (perhaps a second rounder as well.)


That sounds about right to me. We are not going to get a steal here Whatever way you slice it and I think there is a strong desire to rid ourselves of Heatley despite what is said publicly.