What's Important this year?
by BCISLEMAN on Oct 12, 2009 4:22 AM EDT
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via www.ontariohockeyleague.com
It is quickly becoming apparent what the number one need of this team is. We have established a number one line in Moulson-Tavares-Okposo. We need a legitimate number two line built around Josh Bailey.
In the offseason, as much as I would like somebody like Cam Fowler manning our blueline, we will need another elite forward to make that second line credible. Depending on where we fall in the draft, that might be Josh's former linemate Taylor Hall, Russian star Kirill Kabanov, of the Finn Teemu Pulkinnen. In a perfect world, we aould find some way to get Boston's Toronto pick and get Fowler as well, but I am going to assume that we will not be so fortunate.
Assuming that we get one of those three, we must still establish who the third linemate on that second line is. In my mind, Trent Hunter, Sean Bergenheim, Jeff Tambellini, Rob Schremp,Jesse Joensuu, and Robin Figren are the likeliest possibilities. Another possibility would be a deadline or post-season trade for somebody like Dustin Byfuglien.
Who do you see as the likeliest linemate for Josh and whoever we draft and why?
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I don't even know how to vote
If someone like Schremp or Tambellini stuck with Bailey, then they’d need a more physical guy on the other wing. Same if they ended up drafting one of the touted forwards you mentioned.
But before all that: I don’t assume the Moulson/Tavares/Okposo line is set for good. Moulson might be there only until they find someone better this year, next year, somewhere down the line. Meanwhile, if another high-end forward comes along, what’s to keep Gordon from putting that guy with Tavares and putting Okposo back with Bailey? Scoring lines just don’t stay together the way they used to.
Then regarding the #1 need: I agree we another elite forward is needed, but we’ll see where we are in June. The blueline is still my biggest concern. I’m not terribly worried by Bailey’s slow start — he’s young and he will have his funks. Life was good for Bailey when he had Okposo for a while last year; Okposo tends to have that effect on his linemates.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
We will be bringing up some talented blueliners end of this year beginning next and we can leverage a trade or two. I would like to get a player like Fowler, but I just see getting another elite forward as a bigger need.
I think that they may shift the lines around a bit, but I see Moulson as sticking as a top six—probably on whatever line JT is on. And if we get the #1 overall, I am confident that we will pick Hall and that he will be on a line with Josh (given that they were linemates with the Spits). Putting Kyle on that line would seem to me to be overloading one line talent-wise. It would make more sense to me to get a physical forward for Josh’s line. So narrow the choice to Bergy, Hunts, Joensuu, or Buff-Daddy.
BTW, I have read in more than one place that the Hawks badly need a physical d-presence in front of the net. If Witter has a really good year and the Hawks think they can grap the Cup this year (and why wouldn’t they?), it wouldn’t be hard for me to picture a deadline deal involving Witter, Buff-Daddy, and either Hjalmarson or Jordan. Maybe the Hawks throw another player to be named…and maybe they even just make Hjalmarson / Jordan the player to go during the season and send Buff-Daddy and another player after the season ends with us sending back a pick.
Buff Daddy, Baybee
I’ve been drooling over the possibility that the Black Hawks’ goaltending situation and their need to go for it now would allow us to take a run at Dustin Byfuglien in exchange for expendable assets like Weight and Biron for a couple of months now. Byfuglien fills so many of our needs as a top six forward with size, hands, scoring touch, grit and attitude. I do think he might be a better fit with Tavares and Moulson, allowing Okposo to help with Bailey. However, that’s not my call to make.
by Nova Scotia Isles Fan on Dec 8, 2009 8:03 AM EST reply actions
He would certainly help in a lot of ways but...
I am starting to doubt that Chicago will deal real assets like Buff, Sharp, or Barker during the season. A Barker for Hillen deal with other assets thrown in might be a kind of deal they would do in the offseason…replacing a higher priced asset with a lower priced one.
If Schremp starts playing you will be changing your tune. Hes a great player n should be part of the Isles 2010-2015 dynasty
he has played
and hasn’t really done anything. Don’t expect him to be here next year at all. When has he been a great player at the NHL level?
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