Don’t sign Reider and keep Simek

totally agree with both things @papishark said

Simek definitely has more value to us than 2 mid round picks and it makes more sense to let our young guys play 4th line than sign a FA

don't love Gregor on the 3rd line but having Galchenyuk on the 3rd line is pretty solid so they kind of cancel each other out


overall this is a pretty solid team. we didn't give much up and we definitely could make the playoffs. probably out in the 1st round or 2 though, but hey it's a step in the right direction.

This is just another idea in terms of how they can invest in their forward group. Rather than have one guy making 6 mil, if we retain Labanc on a decent deal and gamble on Galch and Anderson it could pay off in a huge way if they excel and at worst they're still good depth pieces who can move around the top-9. I moved Simek because I think that 2 mil can be used on adding a bit more depth (in this case I thought Reider and Soucy) as well as freeing up a top 4 role for Ferraro (who I really want to see next to a healthy Karlsson). Also I was actually looking at Gregor's advanced stats and he was actually very solid. He projects to be a top 9 forward and is probably one of the best players on the roster in terms of his conditioning and skating. He will turn some heads if he plays more minutes next year, the only thing we need to see improve is his finishing ability but that comes with more ice time and playing higher up in the lineup, if anyone is ready to step up and fill in a spot on an elc it's him, I really believe in him! Thanks for the feedback, love having a respectful and open discussion about the team, it's refreshing to see on Armchair LOL.

I think Marleau is an easy swap for Rieder. I like the idea of trading from the one spot of surplus in the organization (LHD), but would like to see it in more of a hockey deal (unless the wizard DW can move Vlasic somehow). An idea that I have thrown around in my head that admittedly sounds crazy is the idea of trading Ferraro (hear me out).

With a cap crunch league wide, Ferraro would hold insane value as a young 4/5 D-Man on an ELC for 2 more seasons. Obviously the same reason I want to keep him on the Sharks, but with out lack of high end prospects and picks, Ferraro+Secondary piece instantly helps us land a top 6 forward while also being able to be replaced by Paschniuk (who by all accounts is physically ready for the NHL). I would obviously rather move the Vlasic money and LD-spot and keep Ferraro, but just thinking he is a guy that can actually yield something of substance in a trade and free up the log jam that is the LD spot in the organization.

I really really don’t like the idea of trading Ferraro . Not easy to get players like him

Late picks do not make giving up on the Anderson gamble more palatable, and Sorensen still isn't of particular interest or value to the Jackets. Just offer sheet him.

But the org has Paschinuk as a plug and play guy this year, plus have Kniazev not far behind him. Obviously would much rather keep him, just not sure where the trade chips are to get an impact player comes from while also not being sure where the room on the roster is for the other young LD we have throughout the org comes from.

Moving Vlasic would 110% be my preferred solution, but just not sure how that happens with the contract and DW's propensity for not asking guys to waive clauses without them coming to him first. We know that to get back to contention that DW is going to have to get creative. This is just one option. Would consider it highly unlikely, but should be explored at the very least.