MAC331

Back in the day Sutter traded for a 3 string goalie named Kiprusoff and he didn't turn out to bad. I see a lot of Kipper in Ramo.

I wasn't disagreeing with you.

Why not give him that vote of confidence ? Ramo came in and pitched hit last game and the results were good.

Schlemko is proving to be a valuable pick up. Where he ends up next year is anyone's guess.

There has been talk of moving Bennett to a wing position.

Stajan has been way under utililized on that 4th line so of course he has done well there. BT will have some decisions to make this offseason surrounding who are the best Centers to keep and actually play as centers.

No troll intended, I meant it.

After last night and some further thought I think Wideman is a serious liability on the 2nd pairing not Russell. Maybe we should be thinking of trading Wideman or knocking him down to the 3rd pairing and PP. Also after last night and watching Bennett's style of play I think our forward positioning and scoring will be just fine for next year. I have said this for a few years now regarding Backlund, he is a 3rd line C and our reality is with Stajan resigned for as long as he is now, one of them has to go. Backlund isn't a 2nd line C next year and Stajan isn't a 4th line C. I don't dislike either player, each has their own strengths. Our depth is building and each will bring about a few changes so hopefully our GM makes good decisions

I will say yes to the question regarding Morrison, of course he would sign here. This team has a lot of excitement around it. As for Hudler no I wouldn't use him on a 3rd line unless there were players that were better. The same goes for Russell. How much better would the entire D corp be if not pressed to playing that much time with the top two pairs.

This all nice and everything but if there exists a trade possibility to improve overall you explore it. If it means moving Russell to the 3rd pairing and others have to compete so be it. If they further develop and there still is no place for them you can trade them for another need. As a GM I think you have to remain flexible not rigidly idealistic.

I'm with you FF, Stajan is signed, both are 3rd line C's and Backlund likely has more perceived value in a trade.

I have no lack of love for Backlund, I use him in a trade because he does have value. I think you are over valuing his contribution and underscoring some of these others abilities to pick up any slack.

Backlund, Granlund, Bollig, Poirier (maybe), I think BT could pull the trigger to get a top 4 D. I wouldn't fall in love with Backlund, any of Stajan, Jooris or Shore could fill that role,

Well Darth I don't see LW as you do. Gaudreau is a given, Bouma 3rd or 4th line, Ferland 3rd or 4th line, Granlund and Bollig may or may not be here, Jooris more RW, Shore more a C than a winger IMO, Poirier not quite ready and Wolf neds another year. I think we need Raymond for at least another season and on the 2nd line. RW depends on where they decide Colborne best fits and should Bennett make the team next season. Right now we have Hudler, Jones, Colborne, maybe Bennett, Jooris and Poirier plus a few other considerations.

If Wotherspoon needs more work he will get it as I don't see the need to hurry him onto the roster next year. If we get a top 4 D in trade this offseason it will back the system up and allow a number of defensemen to receive more development time. One good trade could take the desperation out of using a number of guys in replacement roles. I to hope they hang onto Schlemko for next year. Engelland will be here, Diaz will not and Smid who knows.

robrob we all know Raymond's game is his speed and quickness. He isn't ever going to muscle to many guys away from the puck but he has the skill to score and when signed that was a huge concern for this team. It may not be now but it was last offseason.

Once again we will disagree. Raymond was getting a lot of his points playing on RW in the beginning of the season and after suffering an injury was used all over the place, not specifically on the high ground. Nor do I see him standing in the way of Jooris so not sure where you are even going with that ??? I was responding to robrob, but since you have joined the frey, who do you see as our LW for next year ? I will put my money on Raymond being one of them.

I don't think you judge anyone when a group is thrown together for one game. The entire team looked to be in a scramble with players and lines being different throughout. I still think our D depth should be a focus but I came away thinking it is getting better fast.

Why is that ? I am not sure what you have against Raymond because the guy has all kinds of talent. he had a serious neck issue that derailed him for a while but when he was with VAN he was an obvious talent. Before our success this year all the hockey authorities didn't give us any chance because of our lack of experienced skill and scoring ability. I think Raymond answered some of this doubt.

I agree cross, I actually like Raymond for this team. I believe the set up is good heading into next year with the answers we have coming out of this year. Couple of things curtailed Raymond, he started gangbusters then got hurt and when he came back he found himself in a shuffle with Glencross for playing time. I have said this before but I think we would all be surprised by positive production if he were allowed regular playing time on the 2nd line.

I would rest Russell with Wotherspoon.

A lot of the answers that evolved through this season were not there last offseason leading into this year. Setogucci was signed because of our lack on RW, my only complaint was there had to be someone better than him, FAIL On RW, Hudler has been exceptional, Jones has stayed healthy and performed well, Jooris and Colborne have been versatile enough to help. BTW could we get McGrattan back for the Vancouver series. LOL I think all of Raymond, Bollig, Engelland may be a tad overpaid but we needed these players to shore up the areas of weakness until either certain players develop or others are traded for to further advance the plan.

I think you need to analyse why Raymond was signed when he was. Glencross suffered some serious knee issues at the end of 2014 so who knew what he would deliver this season. Gaudreau was an unknown commodity so IMO we lacked significant players on LW. I think Raymond has done just fine providing some much needed scoring while adding some experience to the forward ranks. I think we will need him around for next year because you always need scoring. BTW what "style" of hockey is it you see being formed that Raymond wouldn't be a fit ? I always saw Raymond as insurance for Glencross vs ever trying to replace Cammalleri.

Where does a player like this Morrison project to within our D corps ?

Oh yeah, I saw a goalie trying to overcompensate for lousy defense all night.