[Cali Panthers Fan]

This is an interesting debate, and one that would not have happened if so many kids did not look ready for the NHL on a full time basis. I don't think you see certain moves made in the off-season if management had been as familiar with the prospect base. Treliving said he was honestly surprised at the quality and depth we had throughout the organization. I will post a potential lineup, but I need to make a few comments first.

1) The Failed Setoguchi Experiment: I think we need to move on from this one. It didn't really cost us anything so far. Setoguchi has been a warm decent sized body at a weaker position for a low salary. However, he has added almost nothing to this team. His work ethic has improved from training camp, but very little else has. He doesn't handle the puck well, makes questionable decisions, and is probably one of the poorest skaters amongst the forwards. 0 points in 10 games despite adequate and undeserved time on the power play. A team worst -7 despite easier match ups and limited minutes. I feel bad for the kid, but it's just not working out and he drags his line mates down too. He needs to be waived. Oh, and don't worry, if for some reason we get a lot of injuries again and need warm bodies to fill out a lineup he can be recalled. Nobody is going to claim him.

2) Stajan's Injury: He's listed as 6 weeks (from date of injury) but it's more like 2 months. Don't even worry about his spot in the lineup for a while because I'm sure we'll need him when another forward gets banged up. He will also take some time to get back in game shape, so you won't see him getting significant minutes or a regular spot in the lineup until about the 10 week mark. Knee injuries are easily the worst for a hockey player to recover from. I'm not going to even post him in my lineup because he won't factor in for so long.

3) The Facepuncher Problem: Obviously the league has changed a lot over the last couple of seasons. There really isn't much of a role for McGrattan anymore, which is unfortunate because of how well liked he is in the dressing room. Bollig has a role, but only if he starts playing better. Besides, they aren't going to drop Bollig since they just paid a 3rd round pick for him. McGrattan is on an expiring contract and probably won't be re-signed. I don't think you can have 2 tough guys on this roster at the same time, since it's hard enough to justify putting just 1 in the lineup as is. IMHO, McGrattan is put on waivers when everyone is healthy. It sucks, but it's the best thing for this team long term.

4) The Kids Are Alright: I don't know how you can send some of them back. Jooris isn't going anywhere for sure…he seems to be a spark plug in this lineup and is very strong defensively. Granlund was ready last year, but had an injury derail his season. I'm not sure he's a full time center, but he hasn't looked out of place and quietly takes care of his own end. Plus, Granlund is one of the few players on the team that can really shoot the puck and bury his chances. Baertschi was not great at first, but it looks like he's figured out how to play in order to stay up. He's been exceptional the last 2 games, but I would like a larger sample size before I say he's a permanent fixture. Here's the problem with Baertschi, if you send him down he's likely not going to respond well to it, as he hasn't responded well to a demotion yet. I think if he plays at this level for the next 5-7 games you have to keep him up. It's time to make room for Sven. Ferland probably deserves to be here, but it wouldn't hurt to send him back down until a roster spot opens up. I think he will eventually replace Bollig's role, but with a heck of a lot more skill. Reinhart isn't a bad player, but he isn't better than anyone returning, so he'll have to go back for sure.

5) Time To Make A Trade: We saw glimpses of the young emerging talent last season but it was prudent to wait and see if it was reproducible. We also had Jooris come out of nowhere to force himself into the picture. Too many left wingers and guys playing on their off-wing. We simply need a right winger to balance out the roster. We could also use a 4-6 level defenseman to help solidify the defense. That being said, Hudler and Colborne have been serviceable on their off-wing, as has Byron of late. I just don't know who to trade besides Glencross, but I hesitate to do that because he still adds a lot of veteran tools to help the team. I think both Glencross and Stajan will be gone by the end of the year, just a hunch. I also think McGrattan might get traded to a team that needs a tough guy.


Gaudreau-Monahan-Colborne
Baertschi-Granlund-Hudler
Raymond-Backlund-Jones
Bouma-Jooris-Byron

Traded: Glencross

Extra: Bollig, McGrattan?

Waived: Setoguchi
Returned to AHL: Ferland, Reinhart

Roll all four lines regularly. There's very little separation between the lines in terms of skill, just different strengths and weakness to matchup to the opposition with.