Think of the pairings this way if our ptos stay and if wideman/Smid could be moved for future parts.
Gio-Brodie
Russell-Diaz
Brookbank-Engelland
Potter
We could play with the top pairing in order to balance out the lhd and Rhd. More likely that wideman could be moved instead of Smid under this scenario.
Sorry, that would be one terribly undersized top 4 especially against Kings, Ducks, etc. And I don't think they're moving Smid (he stated himself he wants to be a part of this rebuild)
Wideman is a different story - experienced all around top 4 dman, former pairing mate with Chara - I'd be surprised if he survives the 2015 deadline.
To me, the ideal scenario (besides of trading Wideman for a pick or prospect, retaining part of his salary) would be if Wotherspoon cracked the lineup - he's got all the tools needed (and a good frame)
It is a tryout... Gives the team two different looks for the 7th D - a physical guy (Brookbank) and a puckmover (Diaz).
Also, if a young guy plays well enough to be a regular in the top 6, then they can find ways to make room, but it means any young player has to earn that spot. Wotherspoon looked good in limited time, but wouldn't he benefit more from playing more mins/better situations in the AHL, in terms of his long term development? and Sieloff needs way more gametime under his belt before he is seen as anything more than a short term callup.
It's all about accumulating assets. We are rebuilding, not adding pieces for a playoff run. If Hartley and Treliving think that that someone like Diaz or Brookbank can be worked with and either turned into a tradable asset or make another player expendable; then great... let them tryout.
These guys are still reasonably young and have had some successes in the NHL. These are the types of gambles we should be taking.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Is he notorious for those passes or is this a one off sort of thing?
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"You're worried about the team not having enough heart. I'm worried about the team not having enough brains." HFOil fan, August 12th, 2020. E=NG
Seems strange to me that so many people are so anti-Russell. I thought he was great last year and seemed like most people saw him as one of the best defensemen on the team. Yet several people here are suggesting getting rid of him and keeping Diaz instead.
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Seems strange to me that so many people are so anti-Russell. I thought he was great last year and seemed like most people saw him as one of the best defensemen on the team. Yet several people here are suggesting getting rid of him and keeping Diaz instead.
Nothing wrong with Russell. He's just the smallest defenceman on a small defence corps. I'd like us to get bigger so Russell is a player that gets targeted. If we can get bigger and meaner and still keep Russell, that would be okay too.
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Seems strange to me that so many people are so anti-Russell. I thought he was great last year and seemed like most people saw him as one of the best defensemen on the team. Yet several people here are suggesting getting rid of him and keeping Diaz instead.
Also seeing lots of people choosing him as a "Bust" in that other thread. I don't get it either.
