David, how close to NHL ready do you feel Grushnikov is? I hate giving Nill the opportunity to find another aging, slow (but "experienced") veteran. I still believe that Suter and Hakinpaa would lose a race against spilt molasses but of course their experience keeps the veteran from allowing a play like last night leading to a goal.
Pretty close. Probably closer than anyone would think. For example, if injuries hit, and Dallas had to bring up a grab bag of dudes -- say, Kyrou, Petrovic, Grush ,and Pouliot. Grushnikov would be the most stable player, and I think that consistency would turn DeBoer into a champion of his. When that happens, GMs usually listen. Grush has that ability. But it's not gonna happen without some happy accidents.
It’s too bad that Nill didn’t address the Stars D concerns but instead went for forwards, Duchene and Smith Steel are definitely an upgrade!
But it’s somewhat understandable that it was believed that Lundqvist would fill a spot this year... whether or not he should still be a regular is our opinion, we don’t have the choice.
Nills big fail, is that beside Bishell he has no true D BhL prospects marinating in the AHL.
If Bishell marinates next year in the A, we need 2 top 4 Dmen to play with Miro and Harley.
The luxury the team does have is that they are looking for complementary pieces to 2 high end guys, vs seeking high end pieces. You are looking for a multi year Tanev deal vs signing Orlov. Still not cheap, but it does cut several million off the paycheck.
The other question is Suter. Does he get bought out, does he play 3rd line minutes, or is he still Miro's best friend. If he's back, then this team is just looking to fill 2 RHD spots maybe with Nils taking one of those spots.
At this point I have to ask who is 100% going to be on the left and who has to be flexible. If this season isn't a one off, I think Harley has to be your guy you give the prime left hand spot to. Miro deserves it, but his ability to flex pushes him out of the spot for me. Then the question is how complimentary can Grush and Bichsel be vs them running their own lines. Add in that I think Esa re-signs with this team and you have a glut of similarly placed big LHD on your hands.
Nils panning out helps this situation out some, plus I'm sure Grush will be on the slow route, but something has to give.
David, how close to NHL ready do you feel Grushnikov is? I hate giving Nill the opportunity to find another aging, slow (but "experienced") veteran. I still believe that Suter and Hakinpaa would lose a race against spilt molasses but of course their experience keeps the veteran from allowing a play like last night leading to a goal.
Pretty close. Probably closer than anyone would think. For example, if injuries hit, and Dallas had to bring up a grab bag of dudes -- say, Kyrou, Petrovic, Grush ,and Pouliot. Grushnikov would be the most stable player, and I think that consistency would turn DeBoer into a champion of his. When that happens, GMs usually listen. Grush has that ability. But it's not gonna happen without some happy accidents.
It’s too bad that Nill didn’t address the Stars D concerns but instead went for forwards, Duchene and Smith Steel are definitely an upgrade!
But it’s somewhat understandable that it was believed that Lundqvist would fill a spot this year... whether or not he should still be a regular is our opinion, we don’t have the choice.
Nills big fail, is that beside Bishell he has no true D BhL prospects marinating in the AHL.
If Bishell marinates next year in the A, we need 2 top 4 Dmen to play with Miro and Harley.
The luxury the team does have is that they are looking for complementary pieces to 2 high end guys, vs seeking high end pieces. You are looking for a multi year Tanev deal vs signing Orlov. Still not cheap, but it does cut several million off the paycheck.
The other question is Suter. Does he get bought out, does he play 3rd line minutes, or is he still Miro's best friend. If he's back, then this team is just looking to fill 2 RHD spots maybe with Nils taking one of those spots.
“NHL prospects”
For all the hemming and hawing about getting Miro to his natural position, I say it's high time we get Hintz back to his natural position. LW.
Hintz-Johnston-Robertson
Marchment-Seguin-Duchene
Benn-?-Dellandrea
Steel-?-Pavelski
If only we had a pair of eliete natural centers stashed away in the minors who could fill those ? spots....Oh well, maybe next year.
With Grush playing left side, how far away from the NHL is he in years?
At this point I have to ask who is 100% going to be on the left and who has to be flexible. If this season isn't a one off, I think Harley has to be your guy you give the prime left hand spot to. Miro deserves it, but his ability to flex pushes him out of the spot for me. Then the question is how complimentary can Grush and Bichsel be vs them running their own lines. Add in that I think Esa re-signs with this team and you have a glut of similarly placed big LHD on your hands.
Nils panning out helps this situation out some, plus I'm sure Grush will be on the slow route, but something has to give.