I think Trotz will stand pat until after the Olympic break and decide who may get moved closer to the March deadline. The closer to the playoffs they are, the less he will do. Thoughts?
Trotz is definitely watching these next 6 games before the Olympic break closely. My best guess is that if NSH struggles (and they have a tough schedule before the break - BOS, NJD, NYI, STL, MIN, WSH) he may pull the trigger on some players like Bunting or Smith or Haula after the break. I will be very interested to see what he does if NSH plays well in this stretch. I wonder how willing he will be to let this iteration of the team stay together and try to compete for a playoff spot vs still making moves and getting some picks or mid level prospects for the future. With so many teams within shot of a wildcard in the West, the team that decides to deal first may get the best returns. This will be one of the most interesting trade deadlines we've seen here in years.
I'll go back to a point I made in the LOP days. To quote Corey Pronman from The Athletic, “Your prospects aren't as good as you think they are.” The Admirals are in the same spot as the Preds, sitting in the mushy middle in 5th place in the Central at 18-17-2-1, playing against everyone else's prospects. Our best hopes there are on D, in Ufko and Molendyk (get rid of Barron, please), but where is the offensive flash? I would say Martin, Lee, and Stiga, but those guys are still in college and Juniors. The only point-per-game guy is L'heureux, and he's been hurt. Selling off with no real strength at forward to bring up is a fool's game. If these guys aren't crushing it in the AHL, why would it be different against better competition?
Very valid point. People talk about trading Haula and McCarron like it is a done deal, but where are the centers to step into those roles? I'm not 100% sure NSH has someone ready to do that this season even factoring in growing pains at the NHL level. I think it would be very difficult for NSH to stay in the playoff conversation if they move some of these players. It isn't just a ROR trade that could dramatically change the team's success. The Preds may be a few more seasons away from having prospects that are as good as you want them to be to break into the NHL.
What is Trotz doing? WTH?
In the meantime, let's let the old guard keep us somewhat interesting.
I think Trotz will stand pat until after the Olympic break and decide who may get moved closer to the March deadline. The closer to the playoffs they are, the less he will do. Thoughts?
Trotz is definitely watching these next 6 games before the Olympic break closely. My best guess is that if NSH struggles (and they have a tough schedule before the break - BOS, NJD, NYI, STL, MIN, WSH) he may pull the trigger on some players like Bunting or Smith or Haula after the break. I will be very interested to see what he does if NSH plays well in this stretch. I wonder how willing he will be to let this iteration of the team stay together and try to compete for a playoff spot vs still making moves and getting some picks or mid level prospects for the future. With so many teams within shot of a wildcard in the West, the team that decides to deal first may get the best returns. This will be one of the most interesting trade deadlines we've seen here in years.
I'll go back to a point I made in the LOP days. To quote Corey Pronman from The Athletic, “Your prospects aren't as good as you think they are.” The Admirals are in the same spot as the Preds, sitting in the mushy middle in 5th place in the Central at 18-17-2-1, playing against everyone else's prospects. Our best hopes there are on D, in Ufko and Molendyk (get rid of Barron, please), but where is the offensive flash? I would say Martin, Lee, and Stiga, but those guys are still in college and Juniors. The only point-per-game guy is L'heureux, and he's been hurt. Selling off with no real strength at forward to bring up is a fool's game. If these guys aren't crushing it in the AHL, why would it be different against better competition?
Very valid point. People talk about trading Haula and McCarron like it is a done deal, but where are the centers to step into those roles? I'm not 100% sure NSH has someone ready to do that this season even factoring in growing pains at the NHL level. I think it would be very difficult for NSH to stay in the playoff conversation if they move some of these players. It isn't just a ROR trade that could dramatically change the team's success. The Preds may be a few more seasons away from having prospects that are as good as you want them to be to break into the NHL.