LGB73 wrote: ↑22 Jan 2026 10:13 am
I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.
Yep. Jiricek potentially is a #2 type, Lindstein tops out as a #3. Carbo, Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Stenberg look like they will more or less likely become top 6 players.
That said, drafting #1 or #2 this year guarantees you an elite type winger. We may actually be better served to be picking one of the top d-men available after the top wingers go. So yeah I'd like to pick as high as possible this summer but this isn't the kind of draft you throw all your chips in on nabbing #1.
Edit: as a franchise they need a top D-man more than they need an elite winger.
LGB73 wrote: ↑22 Jan 2026 10:13 am
I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.
Yep. Jiricek potentially is a #2 type, Lindstein tops out as a #3. Carbo, Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Stenberg look like they will more or less likely become top 6 players.
That said, drafting #1 or #2 this year guarantees you an elite type winger. We may actually be better served to be picking one of the top d-men available after the top wingers go. So yeah I'd like to pick as high as possible this summer but this isn't the kind of draft you throw all your chips in on nabbing #1.
Edit: as a franchise they need a top D-man more than they need an elite winger.
I would be ecstatic if we had the #1/2 pick are you kidding me McKenna or Stenberg on our team? We have D prospects our problem is we can’t score and we have had issues in that department for a long, long time
LGB73 wrote: ↑22 Jan 2026 10:13 am
I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.
Yep. Jiricek potentially is a #2 type, Lindstein tops out as a #3. Carbo, Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Stenberg look like they will more or less likely become top 6 players.
That said, drafting #1 or #2 this year guarantees you an elite type winger. We may actually be better served to be picking one of the top d-men available after the top wingers go. So yeah I'd like to pick as high as possible this summer but this isn't the kind of draft you throw all your chips in on nabbing #1.
Edit: as a franchise they need a top D-man more than they need an elite winger.
LGB73 wrote: ↑22 Jan 2026 10:13 am
I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.
Yep. Jiricek potentially is a #2 type, Lindstein tops out as a #3. Carbo, Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Stenberg look like they will more or less likely become top 6 players.
That said, drafting #1 or #2 this year guarantees you an elite type winger. We may actually be better served to be picking one of the top d-men available after the top wingers go. So yeah I'd like to pick as high as possible this summer but this isn't the kind of draft you throw all your chips in on nabbing #1.
Edit: as a franchise they need a top D-man more than they need an elite winger.
I would be ecstatic if we had the #1/2 pick are you kidding me McKenna or Stenberg on our team? We have D prospects our problem is we can’t score and we have had issues in that department for a long, long time
Watch this team. The problems all begin with our blueline not being capable on breakouts, line management, boxing out, regaining & maintaining possession and turning into transitions. This team needs a stud #1 D-man more than it needs a skilled winger. Of course I wouldn't sneeze at adding either Stenberg or McKenna but neither fixes this team's poor composition which begins at a subpar D corps.
LGB73 wrote: ↑22 Jan 2026 10:13 am
I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.
Yep. Jiricek potentially is a #2 type, Lindstein tops out as a #3. Carbo, Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Stenberg look like they will more or less likely become top 6 players.
That said, drafting #1 or #2 this year guarantees you an elite type winger. We may actually be better served to be picking one of the top d-men available after the top wingers go. So yeah I'd like to pick as high as possible this summer but this isn't the kind of draft you throw all your chips in on nabbing #1.
Edit: as a franchise they need a top D-man more than they need an elite winger.
I would be ecstatic if we had the #1/2 pick are you kidding me McKenna or Stenberg on our team? We have D prospects our problem is we can’t score and we have had issues in that department for a long, long time
Watch this team. The problems all begin with our blueline not being capable on breakouts, line management, boxing out, regaining & maintaining possession and turning into transitions. This team needs a stud #1 D-man more than it needs a skilled winger. Of course I wouldn't sneeze at adding either Stenberg or McKenna but neither fixes this team's poor composition which begins at a subpar D corps.
Honestly it’s not just our D that can’t get the puck out, but there is no stud #1 dman coming out this year, but there is a couple of elite forwards coming out.. and D prospects take forever to come into fruition, we can’t score, that’s our issue and has been for many years now…our D is really not that bad… it’s not like football D doesn’t win championships… a team full of stud wingers would murder a team full of stud D men even stud D men get scored on
Last edited by TampaBlues78 on 31 Jan 2026 16:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
John Cocktoastin wrote: ↑31 Jan 2026 17:04 pm
Lol. Jiricek has all the potential to be a top pairing defenseman.
Wow.
I have no issues with what I am hearing about our D prospects… I know there is still time to trade but there is also time for us to lose out on an elite forward… I just don’t understand some people wanting to win games just to win games… the chances of having brothers as teammates appeals to me and I am not 100% sure why but would be awesome to have it… I know it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen but imagine the how that appeals to people and would would make for great PR
John Cocktoastin wrote: ↑31 Jan 2026 17:04 pm
Lol. Jiricek has all the potential to be a top pairing defenseman.
Wow.
I have no issues with what I am hearing about our D prospects… I know there is still time to trade but there is also time for us to lose out on an elite forward… I just don’t understand some people wanting to win games just to win games… the chances of having brothers as teammates appeals to me and I am not 100% sure why but would be awesome to have it… I know it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen but imagine the how that appeals to people and would would make for great PR
Not you, 78. Just saying - the guy has all the tools, he just brought home all kinds of hardware and proved himself beyond a shadow of a doubt at the Workd Juniors. He's a stud.
And, for my money, which isn't a lot, it's McKenna. All day long.
John Cocktoastin wrote: ↑31 Jan 2026 17:04 pm
Lol. Jiricek has all the potential to be a top pairing defenseman.
Wow.
I have no issues with what I am hearing about our D prospects… I know there is still time to trade but there is also time for us to lose out on an elite forward… I just don’t understand some people wanting to win games just to win games… the chances of having brothers as teammates appeals to me and I am not 100% sure why but would be awesome to have it… I know it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen but imagine the how that appeals to people and would would make for great PR
Not you, 78. Just saying - the guy has all the tools, he just brought home all kinds of hardware and proved himself beyond a shadow of a doubt at the Workd Juniors. He's a stud.
And, for my money, which isn't a lot, it's McKenna. All day long.
Oh I know and get it… I was agreeing with you also than got on a tangent lol… people thinking our D is the major issue this year imho haven’t really watched us this year.
Yeah. I get it, Tampa. Our defensive struggles with Fowler I think are indefensible. I think he is the guy who skates by in discussions about our D and he will be an albatross for the next couple years. Absolute smoke and mirrors once signed.
His Corsi numbers show we're being outshot by opponents the minute he steps on the ice. His expected goals against is horrendous. His -21 plus/minus rating through 54 games is barf worthy.
If he was the version we traded for and saw last year, I would have a lot more faith. But buyer beware - never sign the wrong side of 30 guy (D specifically) on contract years to multi-year deals. GM 101.
LGB73 wrote: ↑22 Jan 2026 10:13 am
I like our prospect pool but in reality it's more likely than not that that list doesn't produce a single 1st line F or top pair D. It's heavily weighted towards middle six guys at F and middle pair ceilings at D. Doesn't mean one or two couldn't surprise to the upside. Dvorsky strikes me as a 2C but he's young so maybe he improves and becomes a legit 1C. Same thing with Jiricek in that he's got potential to be top pair but it's going to take a lot more development to get there. It's not a given either way though. That's why I said we needed more depth in the pipeline because we need more chances at getting that guy who over performs his draft position since we're not netting top 10 picks year over year.
Yep. Jiricek potentially is a #2 type, Lindstein tops out as a #3. Carbo, Dvorsky, Snuggerud, Stenberg look like they will more or less likely become top 6 players.
That said, drafting #1 or #2 this year guarantees you an elite type winger. We may actually be better served to be picking one of the top d-men available after the top wingers go. So yeah I'd like to pick as high as possible this summer but this isn't the kind of draft you throw all your chips in on nabbing #1.
Edit: as a franchise they need a top D-man more than they need an elite winger.
You can also trade assets, which he have quite a bit of i.e buch/schenn/faulk and maybe some others to get some D prospects… as far as I know there aren’t many elite wingers that are young and available…
John Cocktoastin wrote: ↑31 Jan 2026 17:38 pm
Yeah. I get it, Tampa. Our defensive struggles with Fowler I think are indefensible. I think he is the guy who skates by in discussions about our D and he will be an albatross for the next couple years. Absolute smoke and mirrors once signed.
His Corsi numbers show we're being outshot by opponents the minute he steps on the ice. His expected goals against is horrendous. His -21 plus/minus rating through 54 games is barf worthy.
If he was the version we traded for and saw last year, I would have a lot more faith. But buyer beware - never sign the wrong side of 30 guy (D specifically) on contract years to multi-year deals. GM 101.
I don’t mind the Fowler signing… he hasn’t been what he was last year… but not many of our guys have… CP55 no goals… Binny has kinda been a mess. No one seen that coming. I like Monty but his D pairings this year had been kinda weird, a lot of the pairing have changed alot all year so far with no real consistency.. except lately… not sure what is going on with Fowler but our D offensively has been (bleep)
John Cocktoastin wrote: ↑31 Jan 2026 17:38 pm
Yeah. I get it, Tampa. Our defensive struggles with Fowler I think are indefensible. I think he is the guy who skates by in discussions about our D and he will be an albatross for the next couple years. Absolute smoke and mirrors once signed.
His Corsi numbers show we're being outshot by opponents the minute he steps on the ice. His expected goals against is horrendous. His -21 plus/minus rating through 54 games is barf worthy.
If he was the version we traded for and saw last year, I would have a lot more faith. But buyer beware - never sign the wrong side of 30 guy (D specifically) on contract years to multi-year deals. GM 101.
I don’t mind the Fowler signing… he hasn’t been what he was last year… but not many of our guys have… CP55 no goals… Binny has kinda been a mess. No one seen that coming. I like Monty but his D pairings this year had been kinda weird, a lot of the pairing have changed alot all year so far with no real consistency.. except lately… not sure what is going on with Fowler but our D offensively has been (bleep)
Hear ya. I just hate older D signings, again on the wrong side of 30 with a lot of miles on their body + contract year. Made me queasy. I'm queasy right now.
John Cocktoastin wrote: ↑31 Jan 2026 17:38 pm
Yeah. I get it, Tampa. Our defensive struggles with Fowler I think are indefensible. I think he is the guy who skates by in discussions about our D and he will be an albatross for the next couple years. Absolute smoke and mirrors once signed.
His Corsi numbers show we're being outshot by opponents the minute he steps on the ice. His expected goals against is horrendous. His -21 plus/minus rating through 54 games is barf worthy.
If he was the version we traded for and saw last year, I would have a lot more faith. But buyer beware - never sign the wrong side of 30 guy (D specifically) on contract years to multi-year deals. GM 101.
I don’t mind the Fowler signing… he hasn’t been what he was last year… but not many of our guys have… CP55 no goals… Binny has kinda been a mess. No one seen that coming. I like Monty but his D pairings this year had been kinda weird, a lot of the pairing have changed alot all year so far with no real consistency.. except lately… not sure what is going on with Fowler but our D offensively has been (bleep)
Hear ya. I just hate older D signings, again on the wrong side of 30 with a lot of miles on their body + contract year. Made me queasy. I'm queasy right now.
Lol I know I get it… I just hate having this feeling we will start winning again.. and thus losing our chance… I for sure thought someone would’ve been moved already… which kinda puzzles me… with how inconsistent this team has been, you’d have thunk Army has a message kinda trade
It's painfully obvious. Going from the best D corps in the league to this mess. I just don't understand how people are missing it. I know not everyone watches around the league that much, but the difference between teams that have elite blueliners and those that don't is stark. It was the backbone of this team's most successful decade, you'd think it would be obvious anyway.
