oldnews
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(Rumour) Virtanen on the trade block
oldnews replied to Wayne Glensky's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
I'm not proposing Virtanen for Jenner. Or Paul for that matter. I would also not be looking to get whatever I can - I'd be focusing on what I want/need, foremost, not taking a default deal on Virtanen.. -
(Rumour) Virtanen on the trade block
oldnews replied to Wayne Glensky's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
this is a favorite story of mine. how did Mats Sundin - who was never a Kesler type player, 'groom' him in half a season, no less? wadr - AV 'groomed' Kesler - and Burrows - and Hansen. -
(Rumour) Virtanen on the trade block
oldnews replied to Wayne Glensky's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
? 36 pts from Virtanen (and neither of them have produced in small samples this season) so I'm not sure what your argument here is - particularly when you compare the contexts of their production. You can argue very reasonably that he's more likely to get 40 pts given three years of playing with Krejci down tilted ice, assuming that continues - but the basis of believing he's a better gamble is to assume Virtanen regresses, or that last year was an outlier (which I would not assume). Regardless, I don't look at DeBrusk's outcomes to date and consider him a player I'd expect to uptick - so given the other elements of his game, he would not be a player I would target. I'd much rather pursue a player like Boone Jenner, a young guy like Nick Paul who's likely to uptick - guys that are more versatile, that 'bust' as good bottom 6 players, that play a heavy game - I think this group needs more of that. -
(Rumour) Virtanen on the trade block
oldnews replied to Wayne Glensky's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
I think the 3rd line can be strengthened on the wings - but is already a shutdown line - the problem at this point (in addition to a struggling top 6) is also the blueline. If you're spending 40 minutes a night with either Hughes or a rookie on the blueline (and both Juolevi and Chatfield have been playing pretty hard minutes for guys breaking in) - then it's difficult to 'free up' Horvat. i'd probably be more open to the idea in the future - ie after Pearson expires - or as a deal for Pearson, accepting a bit of a step back - but again, if I'm shopping for a winger for Horvat and Hoglander, DeBrusk probably is not on my shortlist (and I'm pretty optimistic about Podkolzin's game - and how that might pair with Horvat's). Even if Horvat's line is "freed up" - it is still served by being as strong a two-way line as possible - and I think the mix could use a bit heavier type than DeBrusk (there are things I like about DeBrusk's game, it's just a question of fit for me - and future space, including cap space). Podkolzin isn't going to cost 3.6million for some time. -
(Rumour) Virtanen on the trade block
oldnews replied to Wayne Glensky's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
I agree that Sutter's line is capable of hard minutes - however Sutter's line is already taking on harder minutes - and he's in the 35% ozone start range. Beagle is at 20%. The problem is that Horvat is still down in the 43% range - not freed up - because the team as a whole - and particularly the top line - is losing the possesion game - handily. Why is that? I think the loss of Tanev (and even Hamonic) and the attempt to deal with both Hughes and a rookie on the blueline every night - along with a placeholding Benn being Hughes partner - is not enabling 'freeing' up anyone - the best they can manage under these circumstances is to keep tilting the ice for EP's line - and that has yet to result in a breakout for the top line. Regardless of any of that, I don't see DeBrusk as a target - not even a secondary target - for a range of reasons I've already stated in here. At the same time, you don't always have to make the most urgent move first if you're improving nevertheless - which imo would be to improve their right side and ideally their top shutdown pairing in the process. For me that is the biggest issue right now - and moving Pearson to Sutter's wing - while imo weakening Horvat's line - isn't necessarily a solution - it might be lateral at best. Would it make sense down the road - which could make it a worthwhile move? It could - but again, there are a number of other moves, other types of moves I'd prioritize over a DeBrusk. -
(Rumour) Virtanen on the trade block
oldnews replied to Wayne Glensky's topic in Trades, Rumours, Signings
You've solved half an issue - but you've failed to realize that Horvat's line is a dual purpose line. Do you believe Horvat's line is as effective in matchup/shutdown with DeBrusk as opposed to Pearson. For me I don't like the fit - not just because Pearson is a better two way player / capable penalty killer and therefore a better fit on that line, but because he also brings a heavier game. If I'm going to bother to acquire another top 6 - I'll pass on the 188lb player who throws 35 hits a season = I want more of a powerforward element and am not in a hurry to commit 3.6+ to DeBrusk. I also want a player that is more proven without the puck than DeBrusk. You mentioned Podkolzin - and he's another reason I'm not particularly interested in a DeBrusk type (who imo is a top 6 or not type player) - the team needs a Podkolzin type more imo - and they need the room for players like him. Part of the reason I was ok not signing Toffoli was Hoglander - well they have another prospect on his way that is highly likely to force his way into that mix. None of which is to sandbag DeBrusk as a player - it's simply to say, he would not be my target.