What to do with Lupul next season?

Assuming we will re-sign Teemu and that neither he, Perry or Lupul can successfully make the shift to LW, what would you do with Lupul?

I'd really hope to see Selanne and Perry as our #1 and #2 right-wings, and hopefully we'd have Perry #1 and Ryan #2 by the time Teemu retires (2-3 seasons more?)

I just don't see space for Lupul on the right-side. Having him be a third line is a waste IMO (although having 3 balanced scoring lines could work for some, I personally prefer having 2 very strong offensive lines then hard-working 3rd/4th lines who can still pot a few goals.)

I think if we can find a team in a similar situation, where they have too much talent on the left-side and not enough on the right, there could be trade potential. Obviously the player should be similar to Lupul though: young, lots of potential, on his way up...

We already have a glut at centre, so I can't see us interested in picking up another centre just to play on the third line with Lupul.

I'd have:

Friesen - McDonald - Selanne
??? - Getzlaf - Perry
Penner - Marchant - Niedermayer (I think he can play RW?)
Fedoruk - Pahlsson - Hedstrom
Kunitz/Moen/Konopka

I wonder if we could get someone like Kovalchuk for Lupul/Pahlsson/Kunitz+ :sarcasm: :innocent:

and then have:

Friesen - McDonald - Selanne
Kovalchuk - Getzlaf - Perry
Penner - Marchant - Niedermayer
Fedoruk - Konopka - Hedstrom
Moen

I would really love to respond to this but I don't need more warning points from the mods...

I'm in no hurry to trade Lupul. He's early 20's and has scored what 23 goals this year? He doesn't get paid all that much either, because he's still on his entry level contract. He's one of the 2-3 legit top 6 forwards we have right now.

I'd keep him. Even if CFOB hates his ***.

because he's still on his entry level contract.
I wonder what kind of contract he gets from Burke this summer.

As for our glut of RW, whats wrong with a right side of Selanne, Perry and Lupul? If Perry plays like you are assuming he will, we will actually be deep at a position, lets keep it that way.

I don't see Bobby in our top 6 for atlest 2 years so that isn't a problem right now and I caught a bit of his game against London last week, we was on the left side but it may have just been that game.

I think trading Lupul would be retarded, his best shot is the wrist shot, so playing on the off wing should not affect him much at all. the guys a 22 year old kid on pace for 30 goals...how are you going to get equal value?

how are you going to get equal value?
According to the first post we will be getting Kovalchuck ;) .

I think if we can find a team in a similar situation, where they have too much talent on the left-side and not enough on the right, there could be trade potential. Obviously the player should be similar to Lupul though: young, lots of potential, on his way up...

The problem is there aren't too many left wings like Lupul. I can't think of a team with too many scoring left wings. Left wings are usually known more for being big, grinder, go to the net types, where as right wingers are usually the speedy, goal scorers.

Lupul for Kovalchuck wouldn't work out for Atlanta. Burke would probably need to offer Lupul, O'Brien/Rome/Mikkelson, and a 1st rounder just to get their attention.

I think trading Lupul would be retarded, his best shot is the wrist shot, so playing on the off wing should not affect him much at all. the guys a 22 year old kid on pace for 30 goals...how are you going to get equal value?

That's why i said "...and that neither he, Perry or Lupul can successfully make the shift to LW"

If he can play good as a LW then great, all the better for us :)

According to the first post we will be getting Kovalchuck ;) .

I guess the sarcasm smiley has lost it's effect ?? :dunno:

I put that because that's what posters here seem to do when they propose unlikely deals :)

I'm in no hurry to trade Lupul. He's early 20's and has scored what 23 goals this year? He doesn't get paid all that much either, because he's still on his entry level contract. He's one of the 2-3 legit top 6 forwards we have right now.

I'd keep him. Even if CFOB hates his ***.

Yes, but I was saying if we could get the same kind of player back, just one who plays LW instead of RW...ie. suiting the same purpose Heatley-Hossa deal did for OTT

As for our glut of RW, whats wrong with a right side of Selanne, Perry and Lupul? If Perry plays like you are assuming he will, we will actually be deep at a position, lets keep it that way.

I explained my opinion on it above (key word: my opinion):

"Having him be a third line is a waste IMO (although having 3 balanced scoring lines could work for some, I personally prefer having 2 very strong offensive lines then hard-working 3rd/4th lines who can still pot a few goals.)"

I don't see Bobby in our top 6 for atlest 2 years so that isn't a problem right now and I caught a bit of his game against London last week, we was on the left side but it may have just been that game.

I agree with at least two years, as I said above:

"...and hopefully we'd have Perry #1 and Ryan #2 by the time Teemu retires (2-3 seasons more?)"

If Ryan can play LW I think that's great news for us for the future.

The problem is there aren't too many left wings like Lupul. I can't think of a team with too many scoring left wings. Left wings are usually known more for being big, grinder, go to the net types, where as right wingers are usually the speedy, goal scorers.

Lupul for Kovalchuck wouldn't work out for Atlanta. Burke would probably need to offer Lupul, O'Brien/Rome/Mikkelson, and a 1st rounder just to get their attention.

I would love to have a young proven power forward who could slide into that line next year, but chances are there won't be any available unless some unforeseen circumstances arise.

For Kovalchuk I was not seriously proposing it as I don't think ATL has any reasons to trade him esp. if they re-sign Savard...hence the sarcastic smiley face

Having him be a third line is a waste IMO (although having 3 balanced scoring lines could work for some, I personally prefer having 2 very strong offensive lines then hard-working 3rd/4th lines who can still pot a few goals.)


Is there some sort of rule I missed that says you can only have 2 scoring lines?

Burke says he wants to build an offensive-minded team ... hard to do that if your scoring threats stop after line 2. Great offensive teams generally have scoring line caliber players on their 3rd line. Especially in the new higher-scoring NHL, 2 lines isn't going to be enough anymore, at least not unless you're content being average.

I wonder what kind of contract he gets from Burke this summer.


Didn't know he was in his contract year. Hope he doesn't go crazy with his demands. He doesn't deserve toooo much based on one pretty good year.

I think this team can find room for a 25-goal scorer, even if he is soft and worthless more than half the time.

I think this team can find room for a 25-goal scorer, even if he is soft and worthless more than half the time.
Come on he has 23 goals playing with crap linemates, he's been relegated to PP specialist basically. If he had any decent linemates he'd probably have a few more goals.

I liken it to Cheechoo...at the beginning with crap linemates he struggling, as soon as Thornton came he took off. Obviously we are not going to get a Thornton, but offensively he is playing on a 1 man line, just try him with mcdonald and selanne!!

I guess the sarcasm smiley has lost it's effect ?? :dunno:
Sorry, my wink was suppose to be sarcasm to, I knew you were not serious.

Sorry, my wink was suppose to be sarcasm to, I knew you were not serious.

Ah oops....well I guess you win that one then hehe :propeller

His goal production given his linemates is a testament to his natural scoring ability. We've always known he's had it, its why he got drafted that high, and its nice to know that it has translated to the NHL. HOWEVER, he has to get better away from the puck, under pressure, and just needs to become a larger factor for this team. Perhaps it is mostly a matter of linemates, however I haven't seen the killer instinct and gutsy efforts that players like Cheechoo have demonstrated. I'm confident it'll come.

I'm in no hurry to trade Lupul. He's early 20's and has scored what 23 goals this year? He doesn't get paid all that much either, because he's still on his entry level contract. He's one of the 2-3 legit top 6 forwards we have right now.

I'd keep him. Even if CFOB hates his ***.

Good assessment. Besides, he should only get better as he gets a few more seasons behind him.