TBoneous84

There is nothing wrong with what Motte has brought to the team but he is a replaceable player. In my opinion we need more size not just speed in our bottom six. We need players that can win board battles and retrieve pucks against some of the heavier teams and wear down their defence. So you trade him to get something as I do not think we will resign him the off-season. I do not feel like I am over valuing the bubble team. My point is the team dynamic and how the unfortunate circumstances with Stetchers, Markstoms and Boesers fathers would have likely created a team bond that is hard to replicate during normal circumstances (you could just see how close that team was based on how they battled in the bubble). We then proceeded to let two of those players go (as the next season more players from that team the next off-season) and it is no surprise the team “regressed”. It was not a true indication of where the core players were in their development. Not that I am advocating for Stetcher to be on the team. We need players though that will drag the team into the fight consistently each night and the players I listed (to be traded) are not those types of players consistently which does not make them bad players. I just do not believe having those types of players win you championships especially in your top six. I am not saying the decisions that were made will not be in the long term best interest of the team (I agreed with all the decisions at the time) but I believe it highlights what the team is missing and drastic changes to the team are needed to bring some of what was lost with those types of players (not those specific players). It cannot just be bottom six players though we need that in our top six as well to have a balanced team. A team that is not easy to play against. I am concerned if we trade JT we are losing more than just his points because of everything else he brings to the table (good and bad). I honestly cannot say the same for Boeser and Horvat even though I like them as players. I believe they can get the type of assets we would need to get a more balanced team around the core of Pettersson, Hughes and Demko. Anyways, looking forward to any debate regarding the above. Building high performing teams are hard but you need a variety of skill sets and personalities… can not have too many of the same types of players / personalities just as in the boardroom which is why I am excited for the future of the team with the changes made in management.

Long time reader of the forum but first time poster. When Jim Benning let Markstrom and Tanev go (even Stetcher to some degree) we lost our true emotional leaders. To make matters worse we then lost Edler, Roussel and Beagle which all were certainly past their best before dates but all brought emotion to the team and leadership. We have no one other than Miller, EP (recently) and Garland who play with emotion as forwards and none of our top players have shown leadership other than Miller. OEL does on occasion so does Myers on defence and Schenn does as well but on a good team he is your 7/8 defence men. my opinion is we need to trade Horvat, Boeser, Pearson, and Motte (need cheaper replacement only reason) at the deadline (I believe you get a better return than the offseason. During the off-season, resign Miller and clear rest of the dead weight. Unrelated but has to be said, the bubble season and playoffs were not a true reflection of this core/team. Think about how the team came together after what happened with Markstoms, Stetcher and Boesers fathers… that team would lay in front of a Webber slapper to the groin to win for each other. This team won’t throw a few gloved punch’s after a bad hit on their team mate. On my phone, so I apologize in advance for any spelling or grammar.