Top 6 Winger

[herman]

I wonder if there's any financial benefit this season to making the playoffs?

I heard there were owners remarking that without the gate rev, playoffs are a loss for them; that's strictly speaking about the ledger at the end of the year. Winning the Cup can have positive effects for years to come (advertising contracts, Cup merch, cheaper UFAs).

 

[Kin]

I heard there were owners remarking that without the gate rev, playoffs are a loss for them;

Which really tells you all you need to know about how the Owners see the economics of the game. The TV rights, which they've already sold, well that doesn't count as revenue that would offset their expenses.

 

[Frank E]

I heard there were owners remarking that without the gate rev, playoffs are a loss for them;

Which really tells you all you need to know about how the Owners see the economics of the game. The TV rights, which they've already sold, well that doesn't count as revenue that would offset their expenses.

I was referring to additional revenue to the teams from the playoffs...given the lack of a gate, I'm wondering if there's anything in place from a league perspective to reward the teams that make the dance.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Scott Laughton would be a perfect addition to this team.

For awhile I kept hearing Laughton's name get brought up but I mistakenly assumed that he was a RFA and didn't really get why Philly would move him. I recently realized he was an UFA recently and he definitely went up on my list. Seems like a grittier version of Kerfoot basically. Good middle-6 guy who can play wing or centre, play PP or PK. The fact that he's a local boy helps too, maybe he'd consider re-signing in the summer if we lost Kerfoot in the expansion draft. Or a plan B if Hyman can't get re-signed (although I do think that'll get done).

I think Laughton would be a great pick up. They could slide him on Matthews' line and put Hyman  back on the third line to force Simmonds to the 4th.

 

[bustaheims]

Scott Laughton would be a perfect addition to this team.

For awhile I kept hearing Laughton's name get brought up but I mistakenly assumed that he was a RFA and didn't really get why Philly would move him. I recently realized he was an UFA recently and he definitely went up on my list. Seems like a grittier version of Kerfoot basically. Good middle-6 guy who can play wing or centre, play PP or PK. The fact that he's a local boy helps too, maybe he'd consider re-signing in the summer if we lost Kerfoot in the expansion draft. Or a plan B if Hyman can't get re-signed (although I do think that'll get done).

I think Laughton would be a great pick up. They could slide him on Matthews' line and put Hyman  back on the third line to force Simmonds to the 4th.

If they can pick him up on the cheap, yeah. He'd be a solid addition to the team, but I think Hyman stays with the top line and Laughton would end up on the 3rd. Too much chemistry between Hyman, Matthews, and Marner to split them up for a new addition this late with the current circumstances (fewer practices, etc., leading to less time to build chemistry and familiarity outside the games).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

If they can pick him up on the cheap, yeah. He'd be a solid addition to the team, but I think Hyman stays with the top line and Laughton would end up on the 3rd. Too much chemistry between Hyman, Matthews, and Marner to split them up for a new addition this late with the current circumstances (fewer practices, etc., leading to less time to build chemistry and familiarity outside the games).

Just hypothetically if we did this I would try Laughton on the top line right off the bat. There's no denying that Hyman's great on the 1st line but Matthews and Marner should be able to perform at a very high level without him and I'm not sure the same can be said about the 3rd line. They just need him more and I think we really need that checking unit working come playoff time. If the top line's struggling without him Hyman can always go back there without missing a beat.

And I mean we've already seen one winger jump onto a top-6 line here recently and despite not many practices or time to build chemistry things have worked out well so far.

 

[ZBBM]

If they can pick him up on the cheap, yeah. He'd be a solid addition to the team, but I think Hyman stays with the top line and Laughton would end up on the 3rd. Too much chemistry between Hyman, Matthews, and Marner to split them up for a new addition this late with the current circumstances (fewer practices, etc., leading to less time to build chemistry and familiarity outside the games).

Just hypothetically if we did this I would try Laughton on the top line right off the bat. There's no denying that Hyman's great on the 1st line but Matthews and Marner should be able to perform at a very high level without him and I'm not sure the same can be said about the 3rd line. They just need him more and I think we really need that checking unit working come playoff time. If the top line's struggling without him Hyman can always go back there without missing a beat.

And I mean we've already seen one winger jump onto a top-6 line here recently and despite many practices or time to build chemistry things have worked out well so far.

I think you are right CTB, and I also think you just made a succinct case for them doing whatever they can within reason to re-sign him.  Not many people do what he does in terms of being a jumpstarter for any line he's put on.

 

[Guilt Trip]

If they can pick him up on the cheap, yeah. He'd be a solid addition to the team, but I think Hyman stays with the top line and Laughton would end up on the 3rd. Too much chemistry between Hyman, Matthews, and Marner to split them up for a new addition this late with the current circumstances (fewer practices, etc., leading to less time to build chemistry and familiarity outside the games).

Just hypothetically if we did this I would try Laughton on the top line right off the bat. There's no denying that Hyman's great on the 1st line but Matthews and Marner should be able to perform at a very high level without him and I'm not sure the same can be said about the 3rd line. They just need him more and I think we really need that checking unit working come playoff time. If the top line's struggling without him Hyman can always go back there without missing a beat.

And I mean we've already seen one winger jump onto a top-6 line here recently and despite not many practices or time to build chemistry things have worked out well so far.

That was also my view. The 3rd line is missing something right now and they were flying with Hyman there. Maybe Kerfoot could be the answer there but it leaves the 4th line as the old guys line.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I think you are right CTB, and I also think you just made a succinct case for them doing whatever they can within reason to re-sign him.

You won't hear any arguments from me there. Unless of course you take a time machine back to 2017.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

That was also my view. The 3rd line is missing something right now and they were flying with Hyman there. Maybe Kerfoot could be the answer there but it leaves the 4th line as the old guys line.

I'm starting to think an old-timers line is pretty much unavoidable if we bring in another forward. Engvall would likely be the odd-man out in that case and our lines would look something like:

Deadline guy-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Hyman
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds

You can swap Hyman and whoever we acquire sure, but who else would get moved there to change up that 4th line?

 

[Guilt Trip]

That was also my view. The 3rd line is missing something right now and they were flying with Hyman there. Maybe Kerfoot could be the answer there but it leaves the 4th line as the old guys line.

I'm starting to think an old-timers line is pretty much unavoidable if we bring in another forward. Engvall would likely be the odd-man out in that case and our lines would look something like:

Deadline guy-Matthews-Marner
Galchenyuk-Tavares-Nylander
Mikheyev-Kerfoot-Hyman
Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds

You can swap Hyman and whoever we acquire sure, but who else would get moved there to change up that 4th line?

True enough.. I don't know who they'd move to the 4th..Engvall would be an option on B2B games but other then that, I've got nothing. Don't see Keefe sitting any of the old  guys.

 

[ZBBM]

Engvall & Robertson spelling Thornton?  I don't see Simmonds getting sat, they acquired him for use in the playoffs.

 

[Matthews34]

It?s unfortunate because Thornton has really lost a step since returning from his injury. He?s definitely been our worst forward and should be watching from the pressbox but you know that most likely won?t happen given Thornton?s legendary career and what he brings to the locker room.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Engvall & Robertson spelling Thornton?  I don't see Simmonds getting sat, they acquired him for use in the playoffs.

Maybe during the regular season if there's cap space for it, but playoffs game 1 all the old guys will be in the line-up. Maybe if they're really out of place Keefe will make a change but he'll give them a few games. Hopefully the playoffs will give them a boost, although I don't think they've been that awful or anything. Just tough to see where they fit in the line-up.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Engvall & Robertson spelling Thornton?  I don't see Simmonds getting sat, they acquired him for use in the playoffs.

Maybe during the regular season if there's cap space for it, but playoffs game 1 all the old guys will be in the line-up. Maybe if they're really out of place Keefe will make a change but he'll give them a few games. Hopefully the playoffs will give them a boost, although I don't think they've been that awful or anything. Just tough to see where they fit in the line-up.

I also don't think Thornton has been that awful. They're taking 4th line shifts now and they contribute offensively from time to time. There may be better options to plug in there but I'm not sure how much of an upgrade they'd bring with limited ice time.

 

[bustaheims]

I also don't think Thornton has been that awful. They're taking 4th line shifts now and they contribute offensively from time to time. There may be better options to plug in there but I'm not sure how much of an upgrade they'd bring with limited ice time.

Agreed. Thornton's play has dropped off since the beginning of the season, but not to the point that he needs to come out of the lineup. He's still a perfectly good bottom 6 option who can take shifts higher in the lineup.

 

[Sandinius]

I think Thornton is a bit tricky.
He doesn't hurt the team when he's on the ice and by all accounts he's a great guy adding alot outside of the ice.
I'd really hate to scratch him.
However, if I was to add a forward, Thornton would be the odd man out, at least based on on ice impact.

I wouldn't touch the first line.
Hyman is perfect with Mattews and Marner.
I really like Galchenyuk with Tavares and Nylander so I would keep them together and if they can keep it up/improve I wouldn't touch that line either.
I also really like Mikheyev, Engwall and Simmonds as a line. Hopefully they can find a way to score more goals.
If I was to make any change I would go for a strong third line C and move Kerf to the wing. I think he's a better winger than center.
That would leave Thornton on the outside looking in since I'm definetly keeping Spezza.

I should add that I don't see a great need to add forwards. Then again an injury or two could certainly change that. Robertson is a nice wild card to have.

On D I also really like what we have.
Rielly has his defensive issues but I'm happy to have him.
Brodie has been a great addition.
Muzzin and Holl continue to be a great pair.
Bogosian is solid and Dermott I'm also happy with.

My biggest concern on D is injuries.
Sandin and Liljegren are still inexperienced so maybe adding a veteran as backup wouldn't be a bad idea.

My biggest concern is in goal.
Campbell is looking great and if he can stay healthy I think the #1 spot is his to lose.
I'd be happy with Freddy as a backup/tandem.
I've been a big fan of Freddy but last season was sub par and this season hasn't been much better.
If there is any risk of either of these two not beeing healthy and in game shape we need to find a goaly.