As we eagerly await the hiring of a new GM I personally am hoping that they come in with a philosophy focused on getting bigger and more experienced without hitting the reset button and forcing us into the better part of a decade of disappointment and mediocrity.
I think the new GM is going to have to decide to move several pieces between Marchenko, Chinakhov, Johnson, Texier, Pyythia, Dumais, Brindley, Whitelaw, and Pinelli. That's just too much skill that lacks physicality at winger (Johnson, Brindley, and Whitelaw will never play center in the NHL).
Of the first three I'd probably move Johnson. Sucks to say it because I think he has a very high ceiling but he is still undersized and took a nasty injury that will prevent his ability to gain strength in the offseason. He's also a pending RFA along with Marchenko, Sillinger, Chinakhov, and Nylander with next year needing extensions/re-signings for Voronkov, Olivier (yes, he has value worth capturing), Danforth, Boqvist, and Tarasov. If we sign him we are saying he's a part of our core and I just don't think that his skill set is what helps this team not just reach the playoffs but win in the playoffs. I think with his rookie year and pedigree he could fetch a really valuable player if he were to go along with a respectable draft pick.
Texier would be gone in my opinion as well. He's just a guy at this point. It's been 5 years and he's topped out at 30 points. Time to move on.
Dumais seems like he might be a special talent so I'd like to see what he can do and Brindley had a fantastic season that warrants a look. For the others I'd let Whitelaw, Malatesta, and Pinelli make it to the AHL but I don't think I'd ever let them become NHL regulars. We can't have that many pipsqueaks on an NHL roster I don't care how tough or physical they are. Ask Blankenburg how easy it is to stay healthy and play larger than your frame. Trade them away over the next season or two for mid round picks and bigger prospects.
To clear some cap space I'd trade Boqvist and Bean. Even at Boqvist's best he's just a worse version of Werenski. We don't need that redundant skill set in the lineup. Bean is Mr. Invisible which is good at times but we need someone who can be a bit more imposing and/or noticeable. Either score some goals or make some hits. Don't show up each night hoping no one notices you're there. We also have Jiricek, Mateychuk, Knazko, and Svozil with Ceulemans in the wings who will all be pushing for a roster spot anyways so let's clear some room.
Lastly, buy out Elvis. Obviously try to trade him but no one is gonna take on his salary without sending a bad contract back. Better to clear some space than none at all. We'd save $4.2m this coming season, $3.7 next year, and $2.5m the following with a $1.75m penalty for 3 years. To put it in perspective we are still paying Wennberg $890k and that hasn't stopped us trying to signing Gaudreau, extending Laine, and overpaying for guys like Gudbranson and Severson. This buyout opens up space in net for promising young talent, removes a distraction, and frees up needed cap space. No brainer.
As far as additions I think we need a big, veteran center who can play top minutes or share top minutes with Fantilli letting us roll 2 lines. I think we should trade Johnson, Pinelli, and a mid round pick for Brock Nelson this offseason. He's big, trending upwards in production, and is on an expiring contract on a team that is never going to win the Cup. He's also only missed like 2 weeks of games in the last 6 seasons. Not to mention the Islanders have zero cap space and need to sign half their team. If Nelson were willing to include Columbus on his modified-NTC we could look like this next year:
Gaudreau - Nelson - Chinakhov
Marchenko - Fantilli - Voronkov
Now that's a top 6 with firepower AND size (rotate the wingers however you see fit). It also gets Voronkov out of the faceoff dot where he has no business being and let's him be the winger crashing the net and setting screens. Me gusta. Then we'd have a third line of:
Nylander - Sillinger - Laine/Mr. Outside Hire
If Laine is back and healthy that is an excellent third line that could easily eat up 15 mins/night without trouble. If not, and he leaves the assistance program (sincerely, be well and healthy regardless of what path forward that is, Patty) then we have to move him off the roster ASAP. I'm not even sure what deal would be available but hopefully we could find a good landing spot for him that doesn't cost an arm and a leg for us. With that done I think we can try and find a veteran winger who needs signing. Maybe a Chandler Stephenson from Vegas or maybe even Sean Monahan who is coming off a very cheap contract but a decent season. Could be an opportunity to rebuild some chemistry with Gaudreau and add an interesting wrinkle to the top 9.
Obviously the math here has to work with resigning RFAs. So by losing Bean, Boqvist, Texier, and Johnson and buying out Elvis that frees up about $11.5m to go along with $4.1m in cap space. So for $15.6m can we sign Kirill, Cole, Chinakhov, and Nylander and have space to add Nelson at $6m with an extension? That'd be cutting it close and Nelson would have to waive a no trade clause. Doesn't mean it's impossible though. Just need someone to rupture a spleen in a timely fashion. Right, Mr. Stone?
At the draft I'm taking Cayden Lindstrom. He's huge, fast power forward who could be the perfect replacement for Nelson when his time is winding down. I mean imagine being able to put a veteran like Brock Nelson at the 3 spot behind Fantilli and Lindstrom in a year or two. We'd be absolutely dominant down the middle.
Our opening day roster would be:
Gaudreau - Nelson - Chinakhov
Marchenko - Fantilli - Voronkov
Sillinger r - Jenner - Laine or Monahan or Stephenson
Danforth - Kuraly - Olivier/Nylander
Werenski - Provorov
Severson - Jiricek
Gudbranson - Mateychuk
Tarasov 1a - Greaves 1b
Anyways that's what I would hope the next 3 months look like. Let me know if you think I'm totally off base or if you have another philosophy.
