2012/13 season - what ONE player do we still really need?

[dbr]

On Semin (Craig Button tweet):

Alex Semin past 4 seasons: 271 points in 277 GP (NHL Rank) .978 pts per game (14) .44 goals per game (11th). +92 (4th amongst all forwards)

More Alexander Semin facts: +92 past 4 seasons. Only 4 players have a better +/-: Chara (108) Burrows (107) H. Sedin (106) D. Sedin (104)

Honestly I would take a look at Semin - if the prevailing opinion among fans and media is correct ( ) he could end up being very underpaid for his skill level - however if the guy is still unable to speak the language to me that's just the straw that breaks the camel's back (in addition to questions about his compete level, defensive play, IMO the biggest question of all being the move from the SE division to the Western Conference).

[ODB]

I'd say we'd do very, very well if we could add Nash to the right side of the Sedin's! Drop Burr back to play with Kess!

How, don't ask me??? Luongo would have to be part of the package. More bumps in that road than a Saskatchewan highway but the question was posed and that's my answer. Hank, Dank and Nash would be a thing of beauty.

[Jovocop]

I'd say we'd do very, very well if we could add Nash to the right side of the Sedin's! Drop Burr back to play with Kess!

How, don't ask me??? Luongo would have to be part of the package. More bumps in that road than a Saskatchewan highway but the question was posed and that's my answer. Hank, Dank and Nash would be a thing of beauty.

How about Hartnell? He showed some chemistry with the Sedins during the all star game. I am not sure how MG can get Hartnell but he could be a cheaper option than Nash or Ryan.

[Diehard1]

Semin? Good god no - the team needs players who trhive in the playoffs, not those who disappear!

Doan is the answer - he's hungry to win the cup and go far in the playoffs, he's big and durable, and he's mean - will hit to hurt and won't take any crap from anyone.

[Fred]

If we're looking short term Doan is the man. I see Taylor Pyatt just left the Coyotes is this a sign that players are starting to worry about the possible ownership ?

If how ever we're looking longer term Ryan would be better. However i understand Bobby Clarke has a close relationship with the Ryan family .... so we may end up picking up a player from the Flyers ? Hartnell would be ideal

[SKYO]

Doan or Semin would be awesome, you'd think MG would have to find another Russian to acquire to make him more comfy.

Doan probably wants at least 3-4 years contract, leaving him one year on the UFA front to play with Winnipeg or whatever happens to Phoenix.

MG will probably have to offer Semin something like 8 years $50M, our new Russian rocket.

[paddy]

is Jesus the answer???

jesus is bowling with the dude and when he isn't he is a peter ass

[paddy]

On Semin (Craig Button tweet):

Alex Semin past 4 seasons: 271 points in 277 GP (NHL Rank) .978 pts per game (14) .44 goals per game (11th). +92 (4th amongst all forwards)

More Alexander Semin facts: +92 past 4 seasons. Only 4 players have a better +/-: Chara (108) Burrows (107) H. Sedin (106) D. Sedin (104)

Honestly I would take a look at Semin - if the prevailing opinion among fans and media is correct ( ) he could end up being very underpaid for his skill level - however if the guy is still unable to speak the language to me that's just the straw that breaks the camel's back (in addition to questions about his compete level, defensive play, IMO the biggest question of all being the move from the SE division to the Western Conference).

the best twitter account going...

[Potatoe1]

Seems to me that we are looking for a 2nd line center. Not a 1st, not a 3rd (AKA Pahlsson)

Given that Kesler is out until Nov or Dec, and will probably not be back in form until a month or two later, we're going to need a solid 2nd line center for most of the season. Having Kesler ease his way back with 3rd line duties and then having 3 bona fide pivots come playoff time would be nice.

I'm not terribly worried about the first few months of the season.

Second line centers are typically quite expensive to trade for or sign so picking one up just to fill in while Kesler gets healthy might not be the best use of assets.

[Potatoe1]

Semin? Good god no - the team needs players who trhive in the playoffs, not those who disappear!

Doan is the answer - he's hungry to win the cup and go far in the playoffs, he's big and durable, and he's mean - will hit to hurt and won't take any crap from anyone.

Not a big Semin fan but he could be a very good "value signing" given how bad his repudiation is.

He was an excellent performer both in the regular season and playoffs, before the caps decided they needed to play like the 2001 New Jersey Devils.

I think he would light it up here and because of his bad rep and poor season he might not cost an arm and a leg.

I mean people keep talking about needing a playmaker for the second line, is there a better playmaker available then Semin?

[RoyalDude]

I thought Andrew Ebbett was our missing link down the middle?

Seriously though. We need some high end skill on the top 2 lines, get rid of Booth, a whole new bottom 6 except Hansen and a nasty piece of business 6th defenseman who isn't puny like Balltard. What one player? Hmmmm, I would say somebody to play with Kesler when Kesler gets back whom has the on ice vision to actually make plays for his linemates, who that is, is a real good guess.

[RoyalDude]

Semin? Good god no - the team needs players who trhive in the playoffs, not those who disappear!

Doan is the answer - he's hungry to win the cup and go far in the playoffs, he's big and durable, and he's mean - will hit to hurt and won't take any crap from anyone.

Not a big Semin fan but he could be a very good "value signing" given how bad his repudiation is.

He was an excellent performer both in the regular season and playoffs, before the caps decided they needed to play like the 2001 New Jersey Devils.

I think he would light it up here and because of his bad rep and poor season he might not cost an arm and a leg.

I mean people keep talking about needing a playmaker for the second line, is there a better playmaker available then Semin?

Word is that Semin is highly emotional and a bit of an odd ball in the dressing room. Sorry, do not want that here.

[herb]

I'm not terribly worried about the first few months of the season.

Second line centers are typically quite expensive to trade for or sign so picking one up just to fill in while Kesler gets healthy might not be the best use of assets.

I think it would be a terrible use of assets, unless we're talking about trading Luongo for somebody like Bjugstad and looking long term.

We should be able to easily win our division on the strength of our special teams, goaltending, defense, solid group of wingers and one of the top scoring lines in the league even if Kesler is gone for months on end. Frankly, I think a bit of adversity might be good for this group, and maybe Kesler being gone would help keep the boys focused in the early goings.

The big question mark for me is the 3rd line. Can Manny become an effective player again or is he done (IMO he's done)? Lapierre has shown that he can be an effective 4th liner and versatile enough to contribute elsewhere for stretches, but can he continue to improve, take the bull by the horns and grab the #3C job?

I think the likely scenario is that we go into camp with the forward group looking pretty much as is, and guys like Schroeder and Lapierre (heck maybe even Gaunce and Ebbett) are given the opportunity to make something out of the first few months of the season on the second and third lines. It's too bad Higgins isn't a centre. He'd be an almost ideal #3C on this team.

[wienerdog]

Seems to me that we are looking for a 2nd line center. Not a 1st, not a 3rd (AKA Pahlsson)

Given that Kesler is out until Nov or Dec, and will probably not be back in form until a month or two later, we're going to need a solid 2nd line center for most of the season. Having Kesler ease his way back with 3rd line duties and then having 3 bona fide pivots come playoff time would be nice.

I'm not terribly worried about the first few months of the season.

Second line centers are typically quite expensive to trade for or sign so picking one up just to fill in while Kesler gets healthy might not be the best use of assets.

Fair enough - and agreed pot.

But who do you see being our long-term 3C solution? Lapierre? Malhotra?

If need be, I'm actually reasonably ok w Lapierre there, as I think he's earned a look at a longer stretch as the 3rd line pivot. He was pretty damn good during the Cup run.

I'm just not at all convinced that MM can handle more than spot duty. Such a drop-off since the injury.

So: Sedin, Kesler, Lapierre, Malhotra - could work, but could be so much better.

Sedin, Lapierre / Schroeder, Lapierre / Schroeder, Malhotra - for two+ months scares the fuck out of me. Adding Ebbett to that stir fry doesn't spice it up much either.

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What are people's thoughts on Fleischmann? I don't really know anything about the player, except that he had some kind of health problem?...

A friend suggested that we could try and snag him in a Luongo trade w the Cats b/c he can supposedly play both centre and wing. He could help plug the hole in Kes' absence, and then slot over when he returns.

This is why an asshole like Ott would have been so damn handy.

[Potatoe1]

Fair enough - and agreed pot.

But who do you see being our long-term 3C solution? Lapierre? Malhotra?


Gillis is pushing for Bjugstad and just drafted a similar player so he obviously has his sights set on filling that spot with a certian type of player (Big, 2-way, young, etc).

There is a long team plan, I would be more worried about the short term.

If need be, I'm actually reasonably ok w Lapierre there, as I think he's earned a look at a longer stretch as the 3rd line pivot. He was pretty damn good during the Cup run.

I'm fairly sure they want Lappy on the 4th line.

So: Sedin, Kesler, Lapierre, Malhotra - could work, but could be so much better.

I'm not expecting Manny to make the team this season.

I think Gillis will add a 3rd line type and Ebbett / Schroder will fill in on the second line for a few months.

What are people's thoughts on Fleischmann? I don't really know anything about the player, except that he had some kind of health problem?...

Gillis apparently tried to trade for him 2 years ago. I think they like him a lot but it doesn't matter he was great for the Panthers last year, they wont want to move him.