Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
I might be in the minority here, but I see Jankowski taking another step next year (as he's done literally every year he's played) and start producing offense at a 2nd line center level. I think he's the internal answer to the question of: Where will we get more offense? He's always had the hands, and he has the frame to win puck battles and cycle down low if he wanted to. He's a good distributor of the puck with good vision, but also can score when he's in a good spot. A year of NHL experience and a little more muscle added, and I think he breaks out offensively next year. Put him with Tkachuk and that pair has the potential to be a legitimate secondary scoring threat.
Janko had 25 points last year, but 17 goals (I know, I know...garbage time 4 goal game inflates that a little). Considering how snakebitten/poor Bennett was, and how his other winger was a collection of crap over the year, it's hardly surprising that he only had 8 assists despite being primarily a passer. Put him with Tkachuk and he might be a 40+ point center next year.
Bennett already has some chemistry with Jankowski, but if he doesn't work we can always try Mangiapane, Foo, or possibly a FA winger brought in to give some offense to that second line. Bennett has had chemistry with Backlund in the past, and perhaps playing with two solid veterans who play well defensively is just what he needs to get back on track offensively.
I also think this is more feasible than going after Tavares or some other UFAs who will command inflated contracts. I think internal growth is how most teams get better these days, and rarely do you make good decision on free agent day. Picking up one quality scoring winger would be a good idea, but that's about it. If that's done through trade, you're far more likely to get a better player, but I think it will likely be through UFA. Trading away a defenseman would seem likely to fill that gap, however, I think only Andersson is ready for the NHL right now, so the only guy you're likely to move is Stone, and he's not getting that top winger unless you package him with some of our better prospects, which I am loathe to do. Defensemen take a long time to develop well, so letting a Valimaki or Kylington work in the minors for another year would be fine by me. Andersson can rotate in and out of the lineup with Kulak and Stone, and be a quality injury depth option.
I think buying out Brouwer makes nothing but sense to me as well, so I expect that to happen in order to give some kids some more ice time.
So I guess what I'm saying is that I would be ok if we went into next year like this:
Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Jankowski-UFA/Mangiapane/Foo
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik
Mangiapane-Shore-Lazar
Hathaway
Giordano-Hamilton
Brodie-Hamonic
Kulak-Stone-Andersson
Smith
Rittich
I honestly believe that coaching set this team back more than anything last year (and maybe the year before). I expect to see an entirely different looking team this year, even if the roster remains largely the same.
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