Our defense currently is stable, but it still isn’t a good fit for the playoffs. Pysyk is a good option as he has experience playing on the left side and isn’t on a contending team. Alex Gudbranson is also a good option, but he doesn’t have any time on the left side as far as I know, and Vancouver might make the playoffs assuming the Oilers don’t get it together and the Ducks continue to have injury problems. If that’s the case, they won’t want to give up Gudbranson. Florida is getting a pick that could really be anywhere in the 2nd round, as Chicago is just above 500 and anything could happen, and they get a potential bust in Ville Pokka. It doesn’t sound THAT enticing, but if Florida isn’t a a playoff spot, they could consider this near the TD. Remember how I was talking about the Ducks injury problems? Well, they currently have their 2 best centerman out with injuries. They may not be long term injuries, but some extra depth could be useful. Bouma isn’t a perfect fit, but it could be worse. To be honest, he’s been less then decent in Chicago and has taken a bunch of unnecessary penalties, which doesn’t help a struggling PK. He’s more of a cap dump then anything and Anaheim seems to be a better fit. We have Andreas Martinsen and Laurent Dauphin in Rockford, so Bouma wouldn’t be missed. As for the lines, Saad and Kane haven’t been producing as expected. Saad’s first few games were unreal, but he’s dropped off and has been playing with Kane on the 2nd line. Why not put both of them with Toews on the first line. I know I’m gonna hear, “You can’t do that because it will completely shut down production from the bottom 9 forwards” but it won’t. AA has goals in 4 games straight (granted 2 of which were on the PP), and is decent defensively. Nick Schmaltz is still very talented, and maybe he needs to be the best player on a line for ya to really see that, and playing on the 3rd line will play him against less competition then the 2nd line. Sharpie and Hayden will be good linemates for him. AA, Debrincat, and Panik will also be another good line, as there is a mix of talent, defensiveness, and physicality on it. The fourth line of Wingels, Kero, and Hartman is just fine too.
27 year old Andreas Martinsen, with 18 points in 120 NHL games, is not playing in the NHL over Hinostroza, Dauphin, Jurco, Highmore, Fortin, and Kampf. And certainly not playing over Kero.
While I don't think Bouma is an asset he has been pretty solid as of late. He is a 4th liner and you sort of have gotten what you'd expect out of him. He is certainly better than I had originally expected him to be. However I could care less if he was moved. There are plenty of other players in the A ready to play in his spot.
I'm not sure Pysyk is the answer for the Hawks. He could be useful but the Hawks need a true and bonafide top 4 guy if not top 3.
I'll be the first to say that DeBrincat needs to spend some time in the A. He hasn't looked bad this year, but he just hasn't done much of anything. Give him some huge minutes in the minors for a month or 2 and bring him back. Or atleast take him off the same line as Panik. Idk what it is but Panik REFUSES to pass the puck to DeBrincat even when he is wide open.
McDavid, Connor
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