Congratulations to the Charlotte Checkers for wrapping up a first-round AHL playoff series win in short order with a three-game sweep over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Thursday night.
Lost on no one who follows the team is the sarcasm in declaring the significance of the days ahead for a position that is currently unfilled or I guess filled by a committee.
The summer shapes up to be a big one for general manager type decisions regardless with a number of situations that could impact that long-term success of the team.
1) Hiring (or I guess naming) the next head coach
Earlier this week I made cases for and against internal candidates Rod Brind’Amour and Mike Vellucci. On my writing list is a third article that considers at least by category the options outside of the organization. Regardless of which direction the team goes, the choice for a new head coach is a huge decision that will play a significant role in the fate of the 2018-19 season.
2) Sorting out the goalie situation
Like a broken record, one of the Achilles’ heels of the 2017-18 Hurricanes was again goaltending. As such, the new general manager will have tough decisions to make. Don Waddell has suggested that the team could retain Scott Darling but still possibly add another goalie. Cam Ward is a free agent who could be cut loose. There is the possibility of trying to trade Darling in a package deal that eats a bunch of salary or just buying him out. Regardless, the team needs to be better at the goalie position in 2018-19 and has an interesting set of 3-5 interrelated decisions that must be made in that regard.
3) Mid-tier free agents likely in a high price range
This summer, high-pedigree draftees Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin must be re-signed. Both are restricted free agents, so it is not as if they could depart, but the situation is still complicated. The reality of today is that both players are middle of the roster players at best and not truly difference-makers. But as high draftees still with high ceilings, the potential for much more remains and invariably factors into salary. Were Elias Lindholm a veteran free agent who was priced based on today and not draft pedigree or potential upside, he would probably price out at $2.5 to $3.5 million per year. But as a young player with upside, how much higher can his agent push the price for a player who is well-rounded and serviceable in any situation but also seemingly locked in at very modest mid-40s depth scoring in terms of offensive production. Hanifin’s situation is even trickier. He took a step forward offensively in 2017-18, but at the end of the day, he is still a third pairing defenseman. On the open market, an above average offensive third pairing defenseman who was priced based on role not draft pedigree or potential upside would probably price out at $1.5 to $2 million per year. As a highly-drafted player with upside coming off of his entry-level deal, Hanifin will price nowhere close to that range. Because of the disparity between actual role today and price for a higher role, the new general manager has important decisions to make with both players. Does a bridge deal at a medium price make the most sense until the players shift from potential to actual in terms of playing in the top part of the lineup? Or is it wiser to lock these players up before they have a break out year? Tough decisions for certain.
4) Looking forward to next summer with Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen
Both halves of the Finnish duo are signed through 2018-19. As such, they become eligible to be extended this summer. One would figure that extending both players early could make sense, but the question is for how many years and how many dollars. With both players in the mid-60s in 2017-18 for scoring, any big discounts are certainly gone. But is it still a good time to lock both up and not risk a break out season to the point per game level in 2018-19?
5) Committing or moving on early on the older veterans
Also signed for the 2018-19 season (and one more year for Faulk) but due for new contracts soon are Jeff Skinner and Justin Faulk. Both had down campaigns for the 2017-18. Skinner’s scoring was still respectable but of concern was his relapse to two-way struggles of his younger days. In my opinion, Faulk just had a tough season altogether. His offensive production dipped, and he trudged farther away from the times with Andrej Sekera where defensive acumen was the foundation of his game. On a team that had six plus players from the regulars and most of the others grouped between even and minus 10, Skinner and Faulk were the lowest on the team at minus 27 and minus 26 respectively. With both players approaching unrestricted free agency, best would be to make a long-term decision on each.
6) The search for more offense
Another key decision will be deciding if the current forward group plus AHL reinforcements is enough offensively or if the team needs to add from outside. Last season, Francis added veteran Justin Williams and depth forwards Marcus Kruger and Josh Jooris, but mostly bet on improve scoring from within. After another sub-par year scoring-wise, the new general manager will be faced with the exact same situation again this summer.
7) Other free agents
Though some of the other contract situations are more significant, the new general manager will need to make decisions on a few depth players who are scheduled to become free agents on July 1. Lee Stempniak and Derek Ryan will become unrestricted free agents on July 1, and all of Klas Dahlbeck, Joakim Nordstrom, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Phil Di Giuseppe are Phil Di Giuseppe are restricted free agents who must be re-signed or let go.
What say you Canes fans?
1) With the slate of big decisions to be made are you concerned that there seems to be little news in terms of hiring a new general manager?
2) How would you aim to resolve the most important of these situations?
Go Canes!
1. No news can be seen as good news. Per various reports we know Dundon is interviewing (personally think Greeley could be his guy).
2. I think the offseason decisions are obvious ones and nothing surprising to anyone in the hockey landscape. For the most part we continue on course with the young core we have and call up our Checkers to fill some (not all) roles. Aho/Tuevo potentially are locked up long-term. Hanifin is a wild card and will either be locked up or dealt for offensive/goaltending upside. Lindy either accepts a short-term deal or likely dealt for similar roster player. Skinner, Faulk likely dealt for change of scenery. A new goalie is brought in via trade to be starter. Darling is dealt w/salary retained. A scoring 2C is brought in, however, will serve as 1C until the youth take over. A top 4D is brought in to stabilize our young D and add balance. Cam is offered a position with team or signs elsewhere (new backup emerges, maybe Chad Johnson…or Ned makes the show?). A new captain emerges…thinking Aho. That’s my take at least.
I’d give the team until mid-May before I start worrying about the lack of action.
It seems reasonable to make a decision on the GM first, any GM that is brought in must be able to affect the other decisions that have to be made.
I think the team must have the GM situation and coaching resolved by early June to be able to start the necessary wheeling and dealing.
I think Lindy is not in a strong position to negotiate, the team may even let it go to arbitration if his demands are unreasonable.
A bridge deal makes the most sense for the situation, at least one with moderate price.
Hannifan is a more complex case. I think he is potentially on the trading block.
It’s bad that of the 3 UFAs that were brought in last summer, one was traded (and has not made an appearance in the playoffs), and one was assigned to Charlotte.
I’m still wondering if Darling can be traded to the Sens for Bobby Ryan or to the ducks for one of their more expensive forwards that had an off season.
It’s a huge gamble but some of these guys had a pretty uncharacteristically bad seasons.
If the Canes braintrust thinks there is revival potential it might be a possibility.
Then again, there is hope that darling can find a way to recover.
If the Sharks get ousted by Vegas, there is a chance that Evander Kane is available, especially if they get hammered again.
sorry this is out of context, but the mention above of Kruger in Charlotte made me go and look at the stats for the playoffs (checkers). I don’t see Kruger’s name? Is he not in Charlotte, or just not good enough to crack the roster… or they don’t want to mess with the chemistry? I bought in to the premise of having Kruger take some of Staal’s defensive responsibilities would bring more offense… oh well, sounded good (but I’m still trying to figure out what to do with that bridge I bought awhile back :O).
I did notice that Fluery has 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 games! which brings me to Hannifan. I’m just not sure about him and would not be upset if he was traded. I know he is young, however I just don’t see it (but, there’s that bridge again!)
#1. Yes I’m worried. I believe TD is going to run the show. I think he wants to be the most important person in the room. He will get a young GM and a young coach and take responsibilities from them. He will have a hand in everything. Which may work… maybe the new paradigm is moving away from an all powerful GM (that would justify a lessor salary)…. maybe letting the coach have more say in player moves, etc. could be a good thing. I think TD wants to have his hand in it all (maybe not the X and O’s) but everything else. Is this good or bad? We will see.
#2. I really don’t know what I would do… I don’t think I would sign anybody to a long term deal… no more than 2 years and see how things shake out. TD said it was his job to find better players (and the players job to make it hard for him to do that)… well it is hard(er) to replace players on long term contracts!
I agree that a bridge deal makes the most sense for Lindholm and Hanifin. If they are not accepting of this I would let discussions with Lindholm go to arbitration and look at trading Hanifin.
I think locking up a long term deal with Aho and Turbo early, a la Slavin and Pesce, would be an excellent move. I think they are trending towards a point-per-game level, especially if we find them some offensive help from Charlotte or free agency this summer, that will send their value through the roof if we wait another year.
The thought of having Slavin, Pesce, Aho, and Teravainen on good value long term deals makes me very happy.
Kruger saw a lot of playing time in Charlotte and was really good for the team as a veteran presence until he got injured.
Off topic of new GM. One thing everyone agrees on is that playoff experience and winning will make Charlotte players better in NHL.
While RF has had rough few months and most of it deserved, he is responsible for one key to the fantastic six weeks the Checkers have had—McKegg.
That trade is seen as emblematic of RF’s failings. If Wallmark, Zykov, Foegele keep winning then bring added confidence to Raleigh, that nothing trade might be fundamental to next season’s success.
Absolutely right – the Kegg-for-Juice trade has paid huge dividends for the success of the Checkers and the winning attitude. Seeing both of them on the ice the past 3 games has been a real tell.
Nice observation.
I was very negative on the McKegg trade when it went down. Now I happily admit I was totally wrong there.
This guy has been playing lights out and is definitely a big factor in getting the Checkers from the brink of playoff elimination to the longest winning streak in the clubs history.
And, who knows, maybe this is a guy who, like DR, deserves an NHL audition.
Oh god. Derek Ryan 2.0…..
I don’t have a problem with DR but it drove me crazy to see Peters constantly overslot him. I definitely don’t want to see a repeat of that.
McKegg has seen time over the years at the NHL level without significant success. He is a solid career AHLer and every AHL team needs players like him. On a 2-way contract by bringing him up for a couple of games to give him a big pay day.
Time to trade Skinner. Minus 27 isn’t a fluke. He doesn’t score enough to be that much of a net negative that doesn’t mesh well with any of our top players, doesn’t play two way hockey, and is so terrified of going into the corners that he regularly straight up cedes possession to opposing defensemen and tries to one handedly poke check the puck away. I’d say Faulk too but we won’t get good value for him after last season. This team needs a solid kick in the nads, more than just new faces in the front office and on the bench. Product on the ice needs to change. Adam Gold said that there were too many dead eyes in the locker room. Only Williams and Staal really seemed that upset when we were getting obliterated and last season was falling apart. We need more leadership beyond those two and a leader on the bench that will grasp his locker room and make them buy in. That’s really the only reason I think Brind’Amour is a good choice for the next coach.
Congrats to the Checkers! One takeaway from the first round is that Ned won the goalie matchup.
I heard Jarry’s name a lot this season. He played well in a short call up to Pittsburgh. I think we need a young goalie to back up Darling. Say what you will, but having a team legend as a backup has to be awkward. I thought perhaps Jarry might be a good backup option.
Perhaps Ned is ready. We are not trading Darling with that contract. If Ned continues to impress, I say give him a shot. Absolutely need Darling to bounce back and let Ned have his chance. I believe Darling can play better and Ned can provide a solid 30 or so games.
1. I am not concerned. There is movement going on and I expect a resolution sooner rather than later. And we will have a GM who fits TD’s mode. TD has shown he will be active on the hockey side – and this is a new paradigm in the NHL. Expect a much more collaborative approach behind closed doors with TD carrying a strong voice through the proceedings and equally strong (hopefully) men going through a back-and-forth before a decision is made. New paradigm – whether successful or not.
And I will say I am not keen on how TD made his billion and I am not keen on how he has (apparently) shuffled RF off to forced telecommuting, but a different sort of paradigm is almost what this team needs now to lose the losing culture.
2. I think this new paradigm makes the usual off-season discussion of which RFA to sign and at what price/term completely moot. I think the team is headed to a significant reboot – a reboot I think is necessary to break the losing culture we currently have. TD said it himself – other than Aho he is looking for players who are better than anyone on the roster. I would not be surprised at something close to a 50% turnover of the roster. Which makes the question of what to do with Lindholm or Hanifin or whoever completely irrelevant.
Aho and Turbo should be extended – but if they are smart (and they are) they won’t sign for more than 4 years or so because of the apparent contract inflation.
It’s time to trade Skinner – and the same Friedman 31 thought article that mentions the “house benching” of RF talks about trading Skinner to LA for grit. But you can’t trade a one-year rental for a player with term – unless there is a sign and trade involved, perhaps. But you can if you include a high-level prospect (Wallmark?) who would be with the team a long time.
So roster turnover and the loss of some top prospects are in the works, I believe, and I don’t think any of it is predictable.
That’s why I think it is pointless to approach discussions of what will happen this offseason in the old way.
It’s a new paradigm – or TD isn’t worth his salt.
A lot of good ideas and guesses from all of the contributors above. I would just add one caution to all of it. When you start talking about trading away one of your best scorers (Skinner) when scoring is one of your main concerns you need to be careful of what you are asking for. In the first place, Skinner played his heart out on both ends of the ice playing with a mish mash of different players none of whom were to six players. He was insulted and mismanaged by the head coach IMO. Put him in the top six with top six forwards (at least a decent center) and IMO he will produce on both ends of the ice. Skinner is a Phil Kessel style player who our coach played as a bottom six plugger who got virtually no power play or three on three time. The plus minus numbers for Skinner are IMO exacerbated by the lack of scoring by anyone else he has been on the ice with (his line mates essentially didn’t score), the failure of the high forward (usually on most all lines the center) to play their position correctly, and Skinner’s overzealousness in trying to score when the rest of the team didn’t seem to know where the net was on the ice. Just mention this as food for thought before were end up in worse shape than we are already in as far as scoring goes.
I will respectfully disagree with you on Skinner.
He effectively had the same line mates this year as he has had in his previous 37-goal season.
He fell into his poor offensive decision-making – although that could have been dealt with.
He wasn’t being mis-managed. I cringe when I cpnsider how his defensive deficiencies would have been exposed if he was playing “top 6” by other teams’ top-6. On the third he should have excelled against weaker opponent players. He did not. With his extended shifts and PP minutes he was still getting top-6 minutes – his results don’t match that.
He will excel in another environment with another team – but he has been a part of the “we need to be better (but we aren’t)” mindset that has infected this team and – not necessarily a fault of his own – he seems to be one of the plague carriers.
He will do better with another team and the Canes will be better with another talented, but also hungry and driven, left winger.
One more thought on scoring in general. In the past this team has lost Cole and Whitney by having them walk off as free agents and sign with other teams because they didn’t like how they were handled or their offers here. We got nothing for either (that’s 50 goals folks). Francis, Brindamoor, and Stillman all retired and we got nothing for them. Like us, Detroit also went through a similar phase losing Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Maltby, Holmstrom, and other stars through retirement with the result a fall off in scoring. Most teams trade away fading stars at the trade deadline (like we did with E. Staal…boy how did that work out) and get good assets in return. Maybe we need to cease to be a good ole boys rest home franchise (they all love it here) and start running things like the business that it is. TD seems to be the best bet we have had for accomplishing this changeover.
I actually think Skinner will (smartly) walk off as a free agent which is a compelling reason to trade him, IMO.
Very well put!
This is a hockey team, not a country club or a charity organization, but it too often feels like it. Coaches advertising local products, players advertizing tacos (admittedly good tacos), all the mom and dad trips (this is not an elementary school folks, and the players suck when parents are watching) and, last but not least, not punishing players that do badly or motivating players that do well.
skinner generally has up and down years, the last one was a down year.
I’d suggest trdding him only for a core piece such a RNH as a potential 1 or 2C. If none is available, let’s try to load his line up with one quality center with some two-way acumen and a wrecking ball wing. If Necas could be that center and we grab Kane as a UfA we could have an interesting line.
I think top 6 vs. bottom 6 won’t matter so much, I’m hoping the team rolls 4 lines with different roles and equal playing time (or playing time dictated by situations, e.g. a scoring line when the team is done, focused on being defensively responsible when playing with a lead in the thir period).
Look how the Jets are doing it, how Vegas is doing it and how Boston is doing it.
I’d say those teams are 1 to 2 top scorers better than the Canes right now but a similar model, play young, play fast, play hard, don’t rely on a single star player.
Those teams are fun to watch.
Upgrade the goaltending, get an experienced defenseman (Toronto saw their cup aspirations shattered primarily because they needed one more good defenseman), bring up some of the young kids and hope that one of the 2017 or 2016 draftees springs a surprise and makes a case for playing them on the NHL roster.
And, yes, the most perplexing player developments under JR were letting Kole walk over supposedly $500000 disagreement, letting the Wizard walk and trading away the Juice even when he was not the problem (and made the singing of the national anthem cool for the canes “Oh say can Jussi”).
I can’t blame him for the Semin fiasco, though he overdid the money and the term, and the Thomas Kaberle signing was terrible, though he performed a minor miracle letting the Canadiens pick him up.
I am only concerned about the GM pace if TD is seriously considering an unproven HC. A “safe” HC hire, like Alain Vigneault or Darryl Sutter, perhaps on a 2 year contract (with the option to extend after 1 year of course) would probably be a situation that an incoming GM would be happy with.
However if an unproven HC (e.g. Internal hires) are being seriously considered without first hiring a GM, that could make the GM slot very difficult to fill.
Unless the proven HCs are in danger of being snatched up by other teams, take your time, get the right GM, and then get the right HC.
Amen Powerless! I think stats are great (like a side dish of food) and compliments the bigger picture. It compliments the main dish, but the main dish will always remain the human element of hockey. Passion, speed, tenacity, effort, skating ability, shooting ability, physicality, placing yourself in the right areas of the ice (creating havoc) are simply elements of human intuition. You either have this or you don’t. You’re either willing or you’re not.
Corsi, Fenwick, and whatever other fancy stat doesn’t win Cups. It doesn’t make playoff teams. Rather, it creates false assurances.
Playoff teams are born by getting tougher, playing smarter and stopping with the over-analysis of video replays and stats…too much ebb and flow in ice hockey to diagram success.
We fans are an interesting lot. We crave information about our team. And yet, we can never obtain enough of the reliable kind. So, in desperation, we look for rumors and whatever dribbles we can find from the media and anyone else who claims to have some inside info.
From this, we extrapolate. We add our own conclusions drawn from various inferences, and “voila”! What a mix!
This activity goes on throughout each season. It intensifies in the off-season. And, in the off-season we Canes fans find ourselves, (new owner, no GM and no coach) we are in overload.
A few years ago the internet provided us with a great outlet for our pent-up frustration. Sites like this one let us vent and rant and pontificate. I, for one, cannot deny the fun this site provides to me; not to speak of relief from the pressure of not knowing.
Thanks, Matt.
Lately, a new(?) phenomenon has appeared. It is called statistical analysis. It is like cat nip to many fans.
Not me, I am sad to say.
I come from a generation of people who were taught in school to think critically. I also spent time in the military when they were in love with a new statistical analysis. They called it “body count”.
My mind always asked, “Who counts the bodies?” “Is the data manipulated in any way?”
With the statistics being compiled today for hockey, I find myself asking the same questions, and more.
Referees find it difficult to agree on what is “off-sides”, and “goalie interference”? Statistions go for even more subtle nuances; face off wins, scoring opportunities, etc.
Who sits and watches one player each and every game to gather the data on over a dozen different activities occurring over a dozen times per game?
The answer is, nobody.
So how reliable is the data we see? In my not-very-humble opinion, not very reliable at all. How much of the data being gathered is the result of extrapolation? How much is gleaned from computer “models”?
Most people don’t want to trouble themselves with such thinking. The same was true when our government fed the media stats on body count in the Viet Nam war. If the government says it and the media prints it, it must be true. Right?
A drug addict buys from a dealer and never bothers to ask how pure the fix is. How much was it cut and what substance was used?
The cat never asks why he or she reacts to the cat nip.
I wish I could shut off my critical thinking. I wish I could join my fellow fans in the fun of fancy stats fanalysis. But, aside from the fact that the accuracy of the data is, at best, suspect, I find that it interferes with my ability to see the human element in the game. That human element is very important to me.
So I’ll pass on fancy stats fanalysis for now.
Statistics are descriptive. While modeling is possible even those involved in statistical analyses in sports understand that you use PAST performance data to predict FUTURE performance – a totally alogical process. Nobody has perfect models if they did then there wouldn’t be so much year to year variance in the standings. That being said, think about what Tom Dundon said about being successful – that success usually is a factor of MULTIPLE dimensions of analysis all being performed at a very high level. With that in mind, statistical analysis is simply ANOTHER tool to be utilized to improve your multidimensional approach toward player evaluation.
Wouldn’t you agree that using ALL the tools you have available (regardless of your personal biases against 1 or the other, both the eye test and CORSI have their place) is the best method to coming to a comprehensive and accurate conclusion? Something Dundon alluded to was doing EVERYTHING better in the organization. In my opinion the solution isn’t to lean away from ‘fancy stats’, it’s to ensure Eric Tulsky has access to more staff members and resources than he’s had in his first few years so the Canes analytics department can improve. The Canes need to put more eggs into all their different baskets.
Just consider something as simple as powerplays and goals.
A powerplay counts as a powerplay whether it is 2 minutes or 3 seconds (at which time the game could end or it could become a 4 on 4), so powerplay efficiency is somewhat affected by this, maybe not nearly enough to make it meaningless, but something like powerplay goals per minute sounds like a more accurate number than just number of goals divided by number of powerplays.
Number of goals can also be inflated with empty net goals, so players who stay on the ice towards a game often appear to be extra valuable in the goal scoring department.
Of course then we have game winning goals to counteract that, but the bottom-line is that numbers are a tricky thing, they can pull one over on you.
OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD. I said earlier this year we need to trade up to get either Svechnikov or Zadina. Now we don’t have to. I just screamed. I cannot believe it. This could be the day the Canes franchise outlook changed. We have a chance to land a franchise player in the only proven way to work – the draft. Dahlin will surely go #1. Svechnikov (again, or Zadina, who I may actually prefer) is one hell of a consolation prize.
“This could be the day the Canes franchise outlook changed”.
Cheers to that. Tonight is a good night for Canes fans everywhere (:
My level of excitement to see what Svechnikov or Zadina (Czech connection with Necas?) can do in the Canes top 6 is VERY high.
WOW!!! Something good finally happened for the Canes. I am pretty sure Buffalo with take Rasmus Dahlin. That leaves us with who we believe is the best forward in the draft. Its a good day.
Yes, OMG!!
Finally. We can draft a player with high level of performance instead of merely a high ceiling.
Whether a comrade for Zykov or Czech mate for Necas,, this is exciting. Dahlin would also be a lot of fun in a system that makes better use of defenseman. If we keep Hanifin and add Beaner we could have four or five defensemen over 20 goals – in the right system.
First piece of truly exciting news of the off-season. I don’t know what strings TD pulled to make this happen (even if only spiritual ones) but that is a huge positive for the Canes.
I think the Swedish wonder defenseman is headed to Buffalo. It looks like no contest.
We’ll have a lot of discussions about what to do next, go with the younger Kovi, the concensus #2 pick from Russia and pair him up with Zykov and a center, or get Necas a friend/country man and ice two thirds of a potential first line of the Czech republic.
Maybe we could even trade the #2 pick to the canadiens (provided they want another Russian, they’ve had fairly good luck with them) in exchange for the #3 pick and either another trade or an extra pick.
Maybe that might help a deal to pry their captain lose, wouldn’t be a bad left winger to go with Aho and TT or the two wonder Czecs.
Does anyone think us going number 2 in the lottery changes our offseason strategy? Before I was fairly confident we would see some significant roster shake ups but curious if that may not be the case now.
I still think we need a mindset shift which will require more than just a new coach, a few guys from Charlotte, and a high draft pick.
Here is my ideal “reasonable” scenario:
– Draft Svechnikov at #2
– Sign JVR off FA
– Svech, Necas, Zykov, and Foegele earn starting slots
– Trade a combination of Faulk, Rask, and prospects/picks for a 1G and top-9 capable F
– Trade Skinner for a veteran D
– Give Williams the C
– Staal and Slavin both get As
Thoughts?
The biggets difference is that the canes can secure an RW with huge upside that can probably step in right away.
Here’s a quote on the two choices from an NHL mock draft:
Svechnikov
Andrei Svechnikov, RW, Barrie (OHL): An elite-level offensive performer. One scout said he’s like an NHL player already. At 6-2, 186, he has the size to play in the League right away.
Filip Zadina, RW, Halifax (QMJHL): The Czech Republic-born forward showed what he is made of at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship. Zadina (6-0, 196) has continued to dominate since returning to Halifax. A sniper of this caliber doesn’t come along every day.
Both are big, both are RWs, both are snipers, exactly what the Canes need.
The question is, are the Canes willing to settle on Zadena over Svechnikov (Svechnikov seems to be the concensus marginnly better player) and, if so, can they make something happen with it, especially something that involves a fair trade with the Canadiens for Max P.
Then trade Skinner to the Oilers for RNH.
I think a line up of RNH, Staal, Necas and Lindholm at center and wingers that include JVR, Zedina, MP, Zykov, and TT is already a lot more exciting.
Breezy… You forgot our best player lol
Oh yes, Aho, lol.
This is going to be a fun summer.