dark_forces wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 1:42 pm
FLPensFan wrote: Tue May 21, 2024 11:38 am
Hearing from one of the Boston reporters that DeBrusk is almost certainly gone, stating there have been no talks between him and the team. Then in perfect homerism, said DeBrusk is probably the top UFA get out there.
Stamkos, Reinhart, Guentzel, Linholm, Teravainen, Skjei, and 4 or 5 others would probably like a word. I like DeBrusk, and his style of play earns him some extra points, but there were about 25 UFA players ahead of him in point production.
But I do still think he should be our top target.
I had a thought concerning building more depth throughout the lineup by avoiding spending big bucks on bigger name UFAs.
This assumes Smith is dealt for a draft pick and Nieto isn't a factor. And, we'll say Puljujarvi begins the season as the 13th forward.
Assuming DOC continues his ascent, you keep the first line intact—DOC-Crosby-Rust
You do the same with the second line (...maybe tinker later on)—Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
Now, the 3rd line / middle-six is where you add your new acquisitions—(new player-LW)-(new player-C)-Puustinen (possible names could be Domi, Wenneberg, DuClair) The aim is to really beef up that line to contribute offensively more regularly.
4th line—(new player)-Eller-Acciari
The problem is, you still aren't really adding youth. I think Acciari would show better results offensively if he played RW instead of center. However, I also don't think Acciari is so critical to this lineup that he has to play every game. And that is a major problem with this organization. They lock in the vets to roles and refuse to take them out of the lineup.
The main reason I like DOC on the 3rd line is also depth. Depending on what adds we make, if DOC starts on the 3rd line...I feel confident he can produce on that 3rd line. I haven't seen enough yet convince me he deserves a top 6 role for 82 games, and I'd rather have a more consistent player START there. If injuries occur, I am confident DOC can fill in for a week or two. But DOC starting in the top 6, and then he goes down...then you may be looking to bump a Puustinen into the top 6, or a Hinostroza or Puljujarvi. And then you are calling up the Gruden's and Zohorna's to back fill those spots.
Nieto is out until at least December, so he's not a factor.
1) Trade away Smith for picks/prospect
2) Trade for Pinto (Sissons as a backup) for 3C
3) Sign DeBrusk for the top 6.
4) Sign Duhaime for the 4th line.
That, right now, is my most realistic dream scenario for this team. Are there better players out there? Yes. Do we have the space to get said players, like a Stamkos or Reinhart, etc. No, almost certainly not.
DeBrusk-Crosby-Rust
Bunting-Malkin-Rakell
DOC-Pinto-Puustinen/Puljujarvi
Duhaime-Eller-Acciari/Puljujarvi
That's my hope for us up front. If you put in Puljujarvi for Acciari on the 4th line, we'd have 7 guys under 30 in the starting 12 forwards (DeBrusk, Bunting, Puljujarvi, Duhaime, DOC, Puustinen, Pinto).
Re-sign a guy like Hinostroza, and see if there are one or two other energy guys that we could add to the bottom 6 / WBS competition.
