There's actually no rush to sign Pinto. Keep everyone, wait to see if injuries or if someone offers something good for Kubalik or Brannstrom then sign Pinto when the cap allows it
So many options to fill out the roster, and unfortunately for Kelly, better than him
Highmore, Smejkal, Reinhardt, Sokolov, Crookshank (Jarventie and Ostapchuk full time in the AHL to continue their development). I'm keeping Sokolov to not lose him on waivers
I would send MacEwen to the AHL but Dorion signed him 3 years lol so I can't see them paying both Kelly and MacEwen to be in the AHL and 3 years means they want him on the NHL roster...
That being said, this way we can't carry an extra forward but have an extra D-man, so in case of an injury, could always go 11-7 until there's a call up ready to play
However, keeping things like they are would mean that Lassi Thomson would end up on waivers and would most likely get claimed... so wouldn't be the timing to trade Brannstrom? Ideally, we'd keep him longer to allow Kleven to develop this season in the AHL but with Chabot, Chychrun and Sanderson being LHDs, we could actually have one of them AT ALL TIMES on the ice...
For me, you trade Kubalik (UFA, no PP time) OR Brannstrom for the reasons mentioned above
Greig can play 3C and then Giroux can play in the top 6
True and Greig will be a fantastic player but don't want to give him too many responsibilities in his rookie season, I want him to focus on getting comfortable in the NHL and developing his 2-way game
I know it looks like this with Giroux "not being in the top-6" but he'd still be on the 1st PP and would be playing in other game situations (like end of games looking for a goal, etc). You could roll these 3 lines evenly at ES and spread the offense. Playing with Giroux would be GREAT for Greig's development (and Pinto when he'd be signed)
True and Greig will be a fantastic player but don't want to give him too many responsibilities in his rookie season, I want him to focus on getting comfortable in the NHL and developing his 2-way game
I know it looks like this with Giroux "not being in the top-6" but he'd still be on the 1st PP and would be playing in other game situations (like end of games looking for a goal, etc). You could roll these 3 lines evenly at ES and spread the offense. Playing with Giroux would be GREAT for Greig's development (and Pinto when he'd be signed)
all good points but I would avoid a Kubalik-Norris-Batherson 2nd line. I doubt that Kubalik would mesh well with Norris as they are 2 shoot first players and same goes with Batherson as they are both defensive liabilities.
all good points but I would avoid a Kubalik-Norris-Batherson 2nd line. I doubt that Kubalik would mesh well with Norris as they are 2 shoot first players and same goes with Batherson as they are both defensive liabilities.
True about Kubalik and Norris but at the same time, it gives Batherson 2 options to finish the plays he creates, 2 deadly options. Batherson is one of the best passers in the league (I think it will start to be more recognized soon) and he seems healthy and dialed in to bounce back. Keep in mind how good he was before stupid Dell cheap shot him
Batherson is not "good" defensively but he was adequate when playing with Norris who makes his linemates better. Kubalik is not bad but I think he'd do the same for him
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
Who_is_Jimmy_Stu a aimé ceci.
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