Madcombinepilot wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 2:30 pm
Mëds wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:45 pm
Madcombinepilot wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:20 pm
Mëds wrote: ↑Mon Jan 19, 2026 1:08 pm
I would keep Hronek and Myers as the vets on the blueline.
Garland and Brock up front.
Jettison the rest.
If your gonna change the culture, the Chaos Giraffe and longest tenured Canuck have to go.
The sooner the better.
You can't do that. You need established vets that can lead and show young players how to put in the work. Replacing the in free agency isn't a safe bet because you will be paying through the nose and we will end up with what we ended up with under Benning.
The old adage: Those who can't do teach.
It's true. Players like Myers and Boeser have the know-how to teach, even if they lack the capability to do at times.
Boeser probably just doesn't bring a return in trade that makes sense (I know, I sound like Gillis there lol). If he can morph into a Tyler Toffoli, well that's a good thing for a team of young up and comers.
You absolutley can do that.
How many veterans are you saying the team needs?
I think you need a couple of tenured vets in the top-12 and a couple in the top-6.
By tenured I mean with the team. Those vets are usually already on existing contracts, or can be retained on existing deals.
Boeser's contract will not seem terrible in 2 year's time if he morphs into a Toffoli alongside a couple of other young wingers. Also not opposed to it being DeBrusk instead of Brock.
Garland is certainly a play driver of sorts, and his contract will also age well, for the first half at least.
I can see Myers sticking for another 2-3 years on a reasonable deal, and Hronek is already inked long term on a similarly good contract.
Finding guys like that in free agency would cost more, and their commitment to the local team and fans would not be the same.
I think you add a couple of other vets via free agency. A Jay Beagle-type (just don't pay so much for so long), those guys have legendary reputations for professionalism, work ethic, commitment to fitness, preparation, and dedication to their craft.
The following roster has a few of presumptions for next year.....
1. Two Peteys are dealt.
2. Hoglander is dealt
3. We draft McKenna
4. One of Demko or Lankinen are moved
5. DeBrusk or Boeser are traded.....you move whichever one brings the best return.
McKenna - Rossi - Boeser/DeBrusk
Ohgren - Vet - Garland
DOC - Chytil - Karlsson
UFA - Sasson - UFA
Buium - Hronek
Vet - Willander
DPetey - Myers
Demko/Lankinen
Backup
People may raise an eyebrow at Rossi as the 1C.....well he will probably be our most talented pivot once EP40 is moved. Rossi excelled in Minnesota when paired with a speedy, smart winger.....enter McKenna. I also don't think we get a better C than him back in that trade, but we likely can get a 2C that is better than Chytil. Chytil also has some two-way chops, and if he stays healthy is hopefully replaced by Cootes when the former's contract runs its course after next season.
Ohgren is going to move up the depth chart during a rebuild. His efforts have been outstanding, and he's a fucking beast. There's a poor man's Landeskog or speedy Holmstrom in there I think. That style of player could be a great compliment to Garland's whirling, wheeling, dealing, and if you get a decent enough pivot between them, you might be surprised.
Karlsson is the Swedish Alex Burrows. I can see him climbing the lineup over the next two seasons and possibly ending up in the top-6 with the right chemistry.
I've seen enough of M-Pete to know I'd rather turn that page if he's willing to move on. I don't see a guy that screams mentor, I don't see a guy with anything more than #6 stick and puck skills, I don't see an above average PK'er, and there's no offense there what-so-ever. Even during a rebuild $5.5M (see I got it right this time JPP) is too much to stash on the bottom pairing when the same can be had for $3M.