Well, here's some constructive feedback -- I couldn't have done better myself . . . and I have a high opinion of my own talents.

I differ with you on some items, but both your ideas and mine are equally defensible. I think that Severson is a little rich for our blood, and I wouldn't give him so much term (I'd be looking at Scott Mayfield on one side and Ryan Graves on the other), but Severson would certainly help that side.

Thanks for a nice effort.

I think you are spot on with your assumptions, we will probably have no offseason trades unless its acquiring a defenseman on the cheap from a cap strapped team (looking at you Boston). Sure as hell need to shore up the defense tough.

Everything up front looks tidy, might change up the lines a bit, would also prefer to play the safe route with the draft pick and do what we did with McTavish in his draft +1 year or if Fantilli give him a year in the AHL before the big call up.

Unfortunately for Stolarz, we burned too many games on Dostal's contract. We could send him back to the AHL but his waivers status is going to run out soon. I am also not sure there is anything more for him to prove in the A, though there is an argument to be made for him still getting starting reps down there in front of Clang, I wouldn't be opposed to the idea, especially if we dangle Stolarz as trade bait at the TDL, we could retain him down to 750k and if he has a strong season could get a mid round pick for him.

I have some differing opinions on the Defensive side of things. I think Vaakainen has run out of runway with us to be 3RD, I think Benoit has developed better (Vaaks has talent, I could see it during the season, but the guy just can't stay healthy, I really had high hopes for him). Orlov would be a great get for Drysdale, but I am unsure how to attract him on a 3 year salary, I'd imagine he wants his lockup deal. On the right, my personal preference in Dumba over Severson. Severson is great, but I feel like Dumba is a better fit for the locker room. Verbeek is looking for players that played like he did back in the day, win or loose, Verbeek got a piece of you when you were on the ice against him. I believe Dumba embodies that spirit. Holl is fine for the third pairing, I also wouldn't be opposed to another season of Shattenkirk either, if nothing else, Shattenkirk provides some continuity for a blue line that is sure to see some turnover.

Excellent assessment overall.

Why is it that no one is looking at Helleson/LaCombe/Mintyukov/Zellweger for defense? Have they not done enough to be given a shot?

Helleson *might* be ready to go. Other than LaCombe having a few games at end of season, none of the LHD guys have played any pro hockey yet, so the assumption is they will all spend at least a year in the AHL.

We also have to keep in mind that Drysdale is still only 20 years old, and lost a year to develop with the injury, he needs a veteran hand to guide him. Benoit is still fairly green, Vaakainen is also young and not very NHL experienced.

Totally understand and fair point. I just think we shouldn't fill out our defense with no room for those guys to get called up and start having some exposure. Helleson especially has spent long enough in San Diego.

Helleson has only been in the AHL for a season, and the first half was rough for him, he was having a difficult time adjusting to the pace of play and wasn't taking that next step. He is still waivers eligible for 2 or 3 more seasons as well, so I think one more year in the AHL, gets a couple of NHL games as the RHD injury call up is the best path forward for his development. Plus, as a RHD, he will be playing with one of his future line mates in Zellweger/LaCombe/Mintyukov down in San Diego.

My personal take on our defense situation is to sign Dumba to a 5x5 for 1RD, get a LHD from a cap strapped team for a year or two left on their deal (Forbort or Reilly from Boston come to mind) for 2LD, and bring Shattenkirk back for 1-2 season for 3RD. Keep Fowler, Drysdale, and Benoit as the full timers, and I don't really care who is the normal 7th man, maybe its White, maybe its Vaakainen, maybe its Juolevi.

1RD: Other than Helleson, we have no RHD even close to ready, we need a top 4 RHD for 3-5 years, my pick is Dumba, great in the locker room, very much a Verbeek style player, I frankly don't care that he doesn't score anymore, his defensive game has gotten better every year, and he will throw the big hit or throw down for his team mates. Like the tiny ball of hate, win or loose, he will get a piece of you when you play against him.

2LD: Forbort/Reilly/Whoever for Drysdale also needs to be at minimum complementary to offensive D, or just an outright defense first player. Teams will still be cap strapped the next couple of seasons, there will be decent defensemen available for loose change from teams that need to clear out cap. Defense first LHD are plentiful enough in the league.

3RD: We have a lot of LD rookies who will be getting sheltered minutes in the next season or two, Shattenkirk is a good enough all around D for 3rd pairing and rookie watch duty. I also believe Shatty and Benoit are adequate as a 3rd pairing, and Benoit could use some more tutelage under someone not Klingberg to round out his game. The kids will get plenty of call ups over the next season or two, and having a competent chaperone for them on 3rd pairing will be important for their development. He is also great in the locker room, the team loves him.