As we have players come back healthy we need to decide who draws the short straw. And as we have players who are currently suited up who may end up with that straw its time to start seriously thinking about if a deal or package deal will be made. Players like Kassian and McNabb have proved their worth and are players we need against the rough and tumble teams we usually struggle with. Kassian is a bull and can make plays. McNabb lays booms all over the ice and I think just needs a bit more time up with the big boys to get acclimated to the faster style of play.

Odd man out? Who would you ship? What type of player back?

I wouldnt mind losing:
Hecht, Roy, Stafford, Kaleta, Macarthur, Gragnani, Boyes, Ennis (kind of on the fence about him)

Hecht and Boyes are guys I would want to see on our 3rd line. They are a solid vet presence and Boyes' contribution in shootouts is irreplacebale. Think about it, if it weren't for him and Vanek what other sureshots do we have? Vanek and Boyes' are gimme's and we only need our keeper to stop two shots, I like the odds. Ennis is a young gun and proved his worth last year, though his potential upside is what makes him a valuable trade chip. You need to give to recieve.

Honestly wouldnt mind seeing Grags and McNabb alternate between starting and healthy scratch. Both have their time and needs. Alternating would allow the youngsters to rest up before each of their respective starts. I say this because McNabb is a future starter but I don't think he would handle a full seasons workload without getting worn down.

Roy and Stafford would probably yield the highest return. If a youngster needs to be part of the deal ship Grags.

We don't have General MacArthur anymore?

Gerbe, Leino, Kassian line needs to happen.

Clarke was traded to the Thrashers and then elected arbitration with them. He was awarded one year, $2.4 million and the Thrashers thought it was too much. Now he plays for the Maple Leafs.

I know I remember him skating circles around us last game. lol

I think we need Hecht and Boyes... I'd let them go durring free agency.... We need depth at the centre position...

Roy and Stafford should really be moved and fast.

We already have a great small player that gives it his all every game Gerbe... We don't need Ennis because he's exact opposite.

Grags can be sent to thr farm. He will be pretty good offensively in a year or 2.

MaCarthur hasn't been on this team since 2009-10 season...

Kaleta's an ok energy guy but he takes stupid penalties like every game he's played.

I'd honestly want Darcy to look into trading for Getzlaf and Parros; that'd be a dream come true....

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"If you want to know what I've been doing lately, I've been driving around from Tim Horton's to Tim Horton's, rolling up the rim. Haven't won anything yet. Thanks." - Lindy Ruff

I'm not sure what our obsession with Kassian is anymore. He looked good at first, but now I think he's shown that he could use more time down in the minors. I like McNabb. I think he's progressed far beyond what anyone expected, inside or outside the organization.

Get rid of Roy and let Stafford stay out of his funk.

I would keep Hecht and Boyes for the right price. That being said, I say we keep only one, and I say that's Hecht.

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Girgensons for captain. Team Keep Nick DesLauriers forever.

@TJLuckman550

Are you talking about resigning for next year? Hecht is almost 35 if my memory serves me right. Glory days are long gone. Brad Boyes is 29 right now. Sign Boyes 2-3 years for the right price and we have a solid 3rd or 4th liner.

Kassian was very good against Toronto at home a couple weeks ago. His last three games have not shown too much out of him.

He is though; other than McCormick, the only decent heavyweight fighter we have on our team. When we have to have Gaustad and Regehr get their asses pounded to stand up for team mates; it's painful to watch.

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"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Regehr had one fight and that was against Chara. I wouldn't judge him based off of fighting someone 30 pounds heavier and taller than a mountain.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Kassian brings more to the able then what appears to be a pure power forward. The guy is a fucking raging bull. He could just straight charge the net everytime if he wanted. Who is going to stop the manchild?

Hecht -
Last year of his contract and probably his career. He won't have trade value but I wouldn't want to trade him anyway. He's great defensively, works a good forecheck, a great PKer, and is a great fit between 26/29. He's 10X better on the roster than whatever we'd get for him. The biggest concern is whether he can stay healthy into the playoffs. He was missed BADLY against Bos and Phi.

Roy -
I know he frustrates some, but he's a good PKer and the only thing close to a top line C, and at a very friendly contract. Keep him unless the fantasy land comes to town with a trade offer for Getzlaf or Staal.

Stafford -
I don't mind trading him, but I think his problems are mental, not from an attitude problem. He's frustrated and hasn't had any solid linemates yet either, although I'd like to see him stay at LW with 9/22 for a little bit.

Boyes -
I really like Boyes and I think he'd be great as the regular 2nd line RW, but he's obvious bait with one year to go. It's easier to trade him than Stafford, but if he wants to stay and a Stafford trade can be done, I'd think REAL hard about re-signing him to a 3-4 yr deal.

Ennis -
NO WAY do I trade this kid unless it's the fantasy land deal that I mentioned before. Sophmore slump and injured...let him get healthy and gain some experience, and his talent could make him a steady 60-70 pt player.

Sekera -
What did he ever do to deserve his latest contract? He'll never earn it, he's been invisible offensively, and still shaky defensively. He skates his way out of trouble very well, but can't muscle his way out of a paper bag. I'd be happy to trade him...if any GM is dumb enough to take that stupid contract.

Gragnani -
He is Sekera only younger. Why do we need another player like him? I just don't get it.

So to sum it up, decide between Stafford and Boyes and trade the other. Trade Sekera and/or Gragnani. Keep Kassian and McNabb. Find a way to land a legit top C and consider other players for trade only in that scenario.

I'd trade Sekera, Grags, or Stafford. Roy is what we're NOT trying to get rid of, a #1 or #2 center. Ennis was lighting it up when he came back and is a good puck carrier, but the injury bug is hitting him. Boyes has nice moves and CAN score, but is a shootout man.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

Boyes is not flashy but he is not a liability either. What he brings this team via shootout cannot be replaced via trade. Boyes has won us a ton more games then he has lost us.

Vanek-Hecht-Pominville
Ennis-Roy-Boyes
Leino-Adam-Kassian
Gerbe-Gaustad-Stafford

McCormick, Ellis, and Kaleta would have to sit, but if the team is ever at full strength and there is enough cap room from injuries to keep everyone on the roster...what do you think of those forward lines? I would possibly rotate the 3 bottom RWs depending on their play. That would be nice to have going into April, but then again some forwards could be dealt for a top C (doubtful) or to stock up on draft picks. Then take those picks and package them with Sekera/Gragnani to move up in the draft for a top 5 pick, and get a top C that way.

I could see telling Sekera and/or Grags to pack up their shit and send them to the highest draft pick, or number of draft picks. Sekera's contract is the killer in the whole thing.

I do like the lines though. Each line is potent and has one gritty/blue collar player on it.

I would trade Grags and Stafford plus I would throw in Roy as well. I don't care if he plays pk or pp or what not. He and Stafford give a half-ass effort most nights and Roy takes a ton of dumb penalties. Get a Center or two back for all 4 and I would be more than happy. I don't mind Gaustad at all but what kills me is how much he is making for what he brings. Same goes for Boyes. Why do you think St. Louis dumped him. I would be a huge fan of them waiting and even putting a package together to move up into the top 5 and get a center that way. I believe in building thru the draft and developing players rather than using free agency to acquire pieces at a price way too costly for something longterm. We have enough prospects on defense where they can move 1 or two and not really be effected.

Roy can score and his effort doesn't suck, he's just not very good defensively. Why does everyone think Roy doesn't try? The guy is our main guy other than Ennis in the offensive zone.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

If we trade Roy, it needs to be a package deal for a legit #1 center. What team do you know that has two #1 centers on their roster, and would be willing to ship one of them?

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