Who stays, who goes?

Time to assess the team and see who sticks for opening night.

No-brainers:

McArthur - Turris - Ryan
Michalek - Zibanejad - Chiasson
Legwand - Stone
Smith - Neil

Which leaves around 3 spots between:
Condra
Greening
Hoffman
Pageau
Lazar
Robinson

I'd keep the 3 kids, send Robinson down and try to trade Greening, waive Condra.
If nobody wants Greening, send Pageau down until something comes up.
Condra and Greening have been good soldiers, but time to improve the skill up front. We have enough big wingers and PK-ers right now that can play in the top 6.

As for the defense, just keep the 8 guys.

Thing is, Hoffman and Pageau do not replace Greening, and neither does Lazar, unless you want to play him on the 4th line.

Lazar replacing Condra -- that I can buy. But Greening is 6'4", and his eventual replacement is Robinson. Plus moving that contact won't be easy. Would have to play him lots and hope he turns some heads.

Hoffman would replace Michalek, and Michalek would replace Greening.

Admittedly getting rid of Condra solves a lot of problems. Might have to waive.

Might be a rotation in and out of the press box to start.

LeCaptain wrote:Time to assess the team and see who sticks for opening night.

No-brainers:

McArthur - Turris - Ryan
Michalek - Zibanejad - Chiasson
Legwand - Stone
Smith - Neil

Which leaves around 3 spots between:
Condra
Greening
Hoffman
Pageau
Lazar
Robinson

I'd keep the 3 kids, send Robinson down and try to trade Greening, waive Condra.
If nobody wants Greening, send Pageau down until something comes up.
Condra and Greening have been good soldiers, but time to improve the skill up front. We have enough big wingers and PK-ers right now that can play in the top 6.

As for the defense, just keep the 8 guys.

I'm a Greening fan still, especially after how he performed in the playoffs last time around, so I don't know if I could pass on him. But I agree, too, that he hasn't exactly shone in the pre-season. If you could get a decent lefty D for Greening, I guess that's a move you would have to do, tho', all things considered. But I wouldn't want to just give him away or waive him.

That said, I can't see the case for keeping Condra anymore. Hoffman has earned his spot, no question now, and I think Lazar probably has too. Robinson has been a real pleasant surprise, but I think you tag him and Pageau as your first call-ups when the injuries hit. Who knows if Lazar sticks past game 9 this year, if he makes the team (I think he has), so at least you know you've got two guys who did very well at camp who can step up immediately.

Once the "mystery trade" finally gets announced we'll see a whole different lineup, probably.

SeawaySensFan wrote:Once the "mystery trade" finally gets announced we'll see a whole different lineup, probably.

I'm kind of shocked reporters haven't been clamouring for an update regarding that. I mean, presumably whatever it was, it fell apart long ago, but it would be nice to get some closure on that lingering issue.

rooneypoo wrote:

SeawaySensFan wrote:Once the "mystery trade" finally gets announced we'll see a whole different lineup, probably.

I'm kind of shocked reporters haven't been clamouring for an update regarding that. I mean, presumably whatever it was, it fell apart long ago, but it would be nice to get some closure on that lingering issue.

I'm sure it will be settled one way or the other by the trade deadline.

Word is it was stewart and they didn't want to give up Hoffman

Ev wrote:Word is it was stewart and they didn't want to give up Hoffman

Hmm. Still not sure how I feel about Hoffman. He can be effective, but the last few games have shown that that only happens when he uses all his speed to his best advantage. When he's not skating, he seems to be pretty much a borderline AHLer. So far, anyway.

Yah not sure what to make of Hoffman. You see all the tools but can he get them all in a tool box? Talent is there, speed is there, consistency is what he needs to find.

No one's sure I don't think, but he bullied his way onto opening night roster in my eyes. You don't get rid of a player that showed you that in back to back games with his nhl career potentially on the line.

SpezDispenser wrote:No one's sure I don't think, but he bullied his way onto opening night roster in my eyes.  You don't get rid of a player that showed you that in back to back games with his nhl career potentially on the line.  

Agreed there. He has earned his spot, no question. Just not sure how long he keeps it.

The problem is he's getting old. What you see is probably what you get. He can be like a grabner or Raymond type player