Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
I am a big believer in veteran leadership. And I also believe in not rushing the kids.
Having said that, I think that the leadership and coaching staff have successfully instilled a culture and work ethic now. I think the kids that are on the roster (Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Ferland, Brodie) have learned from the vets and are on the right path.
I don't want to see all the vets run out of town, but I think that it is just about time to start the transition. It's time to start giving some of the young guys on the team more responsibility, and the guys in Stockton a chance.
I'm not saying 4 or 5 immediately. But it's time to move a couple guys at the deadline. And move a couple more next year. It's time to start the transition, to ask Monahan and Brodie and Gaudreau (and in another year or two, Bennett) to start to take over the room and say 'this is our team'.
You can't rush this sort of thing, and it would be folly to try.
But you also can't just wait forever - you have to keep challenging everyone, and push things forward.
I think Treliving has to send a message to the team at the deadline that the transition is starting. And ask the kids who has what it takes to step up.
I don't care whether it's Russell or Hudler or Jones or Wideman or whoever. But I think two guys should be moved, and the organization told why.
|
I think it's been this way for a while now. They've already been getting rid of veterans steadily over the last few years in favor of young kids finding a spot in the lineup. I believe that if Treliving really understood how close some of the prospects were when he came he would not have signed guys like Raymond and Engelland to fill out the roster. He would have taken his lumps with the young kids playing with the few really good veterans we had.
Anyways, just to remind everyone, this team has been jettisoning quite a few veterans and marginal players since the Iginla and Bouwmeester trades:
2013-14
Trades
Blake Comeau
Alex Tanguay
Cory Sarich
Tim Jackman
Lee Stempniak
Reto Berra
Roman Horak
UFA
Mike Cammalleri
Chris Butler
Shane O'Brien
Joey MacDonald
TJ Galiardi
Kevin Westgarth
2014-15
Trades
Curtis Glencross
Sven Baertschi
Corban Knight
UFA
Devin Setoguchi
Rafa Diaz
David Schlemko
Corey Potter
Brian McGrattan
2015-16
???-Does Paul Byron count?
I would expect a guy like David Jones to be moved, and Russell will be in that category if his demands are too high. More than likely Hudler will move on. Wideman will move if there are takers. I have a feeling Ramo will be re-signed for a couple years, but if anyone needs a depth goalie Hiller will be gone as well. There are 3-5 veterans right there that could be moved for decent value if the situation arises.
That first year after the Iginla trade we moved 13 guys that were veterans. The year after we moved 8, although some of them were just marginal prospects. That's 21 guys in 2 years. We've replaced some through trade and free agency, but it's hard to move many more veterans until the prospects start to show that they are going to steal a spot. Recently only Bennett and Ferland did it. Nobody else stepped up to the plate, and it looks like nobody else will any time soon. Deal veterans from a position of surplus, but make sure there is a solid succession plan in place otherwise you're forced to sign yet another marginal NHLer to be your organizational depth.