The Official 2011 Tank Nation thread

Dash wrote:I'm not sure any goalie would make us a contender with that defence lol. Gonchar's not playing like a top pairing defenceman. Karlsson is good, but he's still got a long way to go. Kuba is awful, and Lee/Carkner are good 3rd pairing guys. Campoli's a decent 2nd pairing guy.

Dash wrote:I'm not sure any goalie would make us a contender with that defence lol. Gonchar's not playing like a top pairing defenceman. Karlsson is good, but he's still got a long way to go. Kuba is awful, and Lee/Carkner are good 3rd pairing guys. Campoli's a decent 2nd pairing guy.

SpezDispenser wrote:

Dash wrote:I'm not sure any goalie would make us a contender with that defence lol. Gonchar's not playing like a top pairing defenceman. Karlsson is good, but he's still got a long way to go. Kuba is awful, and Lee/Carkner are good 3rd pairing guys. Campoli's a decent 2nd pairing guy.

That's why I put it out there. What exactly are we doing with this team? If moves are coming, who's going?

Big Ev wrote:

rooneypoo wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:Yeah Rooney, we have similar assessments I think. Not sure I'd sign any of the D-men you mentioned. I think we're stuck with Kuba as you suggested - although the league is starting to get filled with 'mulligans' - guys in the minors who can't cut the NHL anymore, so maybe Melnyk will finally bury someone for a year - doubt it though.

Gonchar I would keep for sure. Karlsson, Rundblad, Cowen get indoctrinated in, Campoli would probably be my 6th, Lee/Carkner my 7/8. Not great...at all. Not sure if that's gonna cut it. Not sure if we have a choice though.

If you move Phillips, you absolutely need a presence like Montador or O'Donnell back there.

I'm not very sanguine on the possibility of signing Bryz, but I agree we could toss a lot of money his way if that's what he was looking for primarily.

Briere is one good possible candidate. I need to do some more thinking on the trade front -- in terms of what teams might be up against the cap & looking to move bodies. PHI is one for sure.

Montador, maybe. O'Donnell, no way. He'll be 40 years old.

SpezDispenser wrote:Not sure this is the correct thread for this, but it doesn't really matter I guess.

To further the point being made by Rooney - and to showcase how difficult this might end up being for the sentimentalist, consider this:

Next year:

Forwards:

Regin (1 more year/1 million) - Spezza (5 years, 7 million) - Alfredsson (2 years, 5.6 million buyout included)
Foligno (1 more year/1.2) - Fisher (2 years, 4.2) - Michalek (3 years, 4.3)
OPENING 1 - Chris Kelly (1 year, 2.1) - Chris Neil (2 years, 2)
OPENING 2 - Winchester (1 year, 0.750) - OPENING 3

Before you get ahead of yourselves with the openings, also consider:

OPENING 1: Bobby Butler will compete heavily for a spot (RFA)
OPENING 2: 1st ROUND PICK will compete heavily for a spot (ELC)
OPENING 3: Z.Smith is an RFA and I assume he'll take the third opening

Defence:

Gonchar (2 years, 5.5) - Karlsson (1 year, 1.3)
Kuba (1 year, 3.7) - OPENING 4
Lee (1 year, 0.875) - Carkner (1 year, 0.700)

OPENING 4: Campoli is an RFA and I assume we'll keep him in the mix.
WAITING: Cowen is looking for a spot
WAITING: Runblad is looking for a spot

*This doesn't included a veteran D-man or the return of Phillips and already we're filled up. And don't just jettison Kuba, it's gonna be real hard to get rid of him.

GOAL:

OPENING 5:
OPENING 6:

OPENING 6: Potentially Elliott will return I imagine. The kid needs a summer to re-focus and a 1 year, 0.800 deal. Although if we moved him, I'd be okay with it.
WAITING: Robin Lehner

END RESULT:


Either not much movement, or some serious decisions to open a roster spot for a new player to come in via trade. After all this, who do you move?

The pipe dream is Fisher, but it's hard to imagine that actually happening. Michalek? Likely not. Alfredsson? No. Spezza? Unlikely. Regin? Would be a waste IMO. Foligno? Possible, but he's cheap and shows signs of putting it together. Kelly? Possible, but would be a shame. Neil? Unlikely. Winchester? Why would you? Z.Smith? See Winchester.

So, does Butler spend another year in the AHL to make some room for a player addition? Perhaps, after all, it's the Detroit model of taking your time with prospects.

Does the 1st round pick perhaps not play in the NHL next year? Possible, but I think I'd toss him in there as soon as possible.

Where is the roster space coming from? Who are the tough choices made?

SDH89 wrote:I imagine we'll buy out Kuba. I'd rather not take a wait and see approach with this guy to see if he'll regain some value, he's been bad for 2 years. I've seen enough.

SpezDispenser wrote:

SDH89 wrote:I imagine we'll buy out Kuba. I'd rather not take a wait and see approach with this guy to see if he'll regain some value, he's been bad for 2 years. I've seen enough.

No way Jose! He'll either be moved, buried, or traded.

Michallica wrote:We need to trade fisher now considering he doesn't have a no-trade clause. Be it at the deadline or in the offseason, but it's safe to say it's time to part ways. Will be a huge blow to the community but u can't 're-tool' without giving up a piece of the old core. Phillips falls under that too. Chance to trade spezza was last offseason so that boat has left.

That will leave us pretty thin on forwards and defense but if our young guys have to make the team, it's gotta be next season now

SpezDispenser wrote:

Michallica wrote:We need to trade fisher now considering he doesn't have a no-trade clause. Be it at the deadline or in the offseason, but it's safe to say it's time to part ways. Will be a huge blow to the community but u can't 're-tool' without giving up a piece of the old core. Phillips falls under that too. Chance to trade spezza was last offseason so that boat has left.

That will leave us pretty thin on forwards and defense but if our young guys have to make the team, it's gotta be next season now

Spezza is worth keeping big time. You saw last night, he infuses talent that we can't afford to trade.

marakh wrote:I think FIsher's future here depends on what we get back. A 1st? they'll probably pull the trigger (considering how good the guys in the late 1st are this year and how Murray loves and trusts his scoots).
I think Management wants the quickest rebuild possible, no Islanders/Oilers Tank style.

marakh wrote:I think FIsher's future here depends on what we get back. A 1st? they'll probably pull the trigger (considering how good the guys in the late 1st are this year and how Murray loves and trusts his scoots).
I think Management wants the quickest rebuild possible, no Islanders/Oilers Tank style.

Bass Destruction wrote:Come on 3 point games in favour of the Isles and Devils!