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Backy taking leave of absence
BlackIce:
--- Quote from: Mickstix on Thursday November 02, 2023, 09:03:02 AM Eastern ---I agree, we can't do much until the deadline nears. Bummer we don't have any top 6 prospects (centers) to play. Maybe/hopefully youth and speed will suffice. Or McMike turns into a stud center? (Now that's wishful thinking!) lol
--- End quote ---
What we need is for either McMichael or LaPierre to turn into a serviceable #3 center. Kuznetsov and Strome are the top two centers, rightfully so. They may have warts, but they are what we have right now and will remain that way for the foreseeable future. Dowd will be back to fill the #4C role, and even if he's lost a step and isn't serviceable any more, players of his calibre are much more fungible. To me the bigger question is whether we can find more than minimal scoring out of the midline wings - Milano/Mantha/Oshie/Phillips. Protas seems like more of a 4th line guy to me, and I really wonder if he isn't the ultimate answer at 4C, if he can't really score.
Then there's always the question of whether Ovie has lost something and/or won't mesh with either Kuzy or Strome. But that's a separate issue altogether and it will be what it will be. Ovie isn't going anywhere.
richkrt99:
Yep to me...Backy is never coming back but not ready to say he's hanging them up and walk away from enough cash to pick up a Learjet 75
I agree with Black....wait and see if we are even a contender and pick up some talent near the deadline (when it WILL be available)
Our problem (well one of them) is we don't really have a 3C. Dowd and Protus are both 4c kind of guys.
A reliable 3C is hard to come by, which is why we held onto Eller for so long - he was a reliable serviceable 3c who could fill lots of holes.
McMike might swing it eventually and I bet will get the chance, but he might be overwhelmed at C right now. He still needs some seasoning but I certainly don't see him as a shutdown kind of guy, and that falls on the C more than the wings (and often/usually the 3c)
Beaglefan2:
I liked McMike at center - thought he skated really well and was all over the ice. I have to say, I was thinking he was a washout, but I was wrong.
With the Backy money situatiion, I still doubt that ownership lets them go and spend another $9 million. It might put us in a better spot on Mantha though where they might not be so anxious to dump him and give away draft picks for somebody to take him. The last rumor I saw was that they are going to give away their next second round pick to trade him - hopefully that doesn't happen.
richkrt99:
I hope they don't trade away picks to dump Mantha at this point. He's a UFA after this year, just ride it out and let him go or trade for a bag of pucks and retain 1/2 his salary (or in Caps fashion; re-sign him to a new 8 year deal)
You are right though about Nicky's situation providing some relief there. I dont think Ted would by shy about spending more money if good talent was available and we were ACTUALLY a realistic threat to contend in the playoffs. I just don't see it with this squad this year. We need about 10 guys to play better to make us a contender, including some unexpected miracle spark from some of the youngins.
Oshies contract runs thru the end of next year...OOF.
I keep forgetting McMike is only 22 - seems like he's been around for years. DId he not play college hockey? I see he played for London Knights.
ArJunaZ:
Is it Hockey Season?
;)
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