I think we would be better with Heatley than with Michalek and Cheechoo, but the additions of Leclaire, Kovalev, Campoli are significant, especially when Vermette is the only big piece we lost (excluding Heatley).
I think they more than make up for the difference in talent between Heatley and Michalek/Cheechoo.
Lee, Foligno, Picard, Winchester and Shannon can also be expected to improve.
Is it enough to bring us back to the playoffs?
I think on paper yes, but we'll see how this team gels, and if their mental toughness was cracked by last year's woes.
I like that Michalek replaces the speed lost in trading Vermette, I like that Kovalev is just as lethal on the PP as Heatley, I like that Michalek has a physical side to his game to that Heatley wasn't willing to bring out.
I like that we have 2 goalies I have confidence in.
Opening lineup last year:
Heatley - Spezza - Winchester
Foligno - Fisher* - Alfredsson
Vermette - Kelly - Neil
Ruutu - McAmmond - Donovan
Kuba - Picard
Phillips - Volchenkov
Smith - Lee
Gerber
Auld
* Fisher was injured to start the season, he was replaced in the lineup by Schubert.
Last edited by Ismellofhockey: 09-13-2009 at 10:04 AM.
We lost an elite winger and got none in return. Pretty straight forward me thinks.
Yes they lost a elite scorer but in return they got 2 players that will add depth up front.While they may not have a 50 goal scorer they have a more balanced offence which they have been lacking.
Yes they lost a elite scorer but in return they got 2 players that will add depth up front.While they may not have a 50 goal scorer they have a more balanced offence which they have been lacking.
Balanced scoring if fine but we don't have a top-5 1st line anymore so it kind of equals out.
If you look back at 'Scoring under Clouston' thread, Heatley was scoring at a 60-70 point pace IIRC... Which is what Michalek will bring. And we were winning games.
Add in the added depth and our scoring will definitely be fine.
I think mostly I like our forward roster better just because of the improved balance. Heatley's contract could have eventually become an albatross for this team, especially when elite players like hossa have been signing to cap hits of 5M. There are much better players than Heatley who make less money.
campolli will add a few points, he was great with ottawa.
again its all about Leclaire doing his job, but Elliot will push him. i think theres no was we'll do worse than last year with the roster changes.
i like the team a little more than what we started with last year...
I think we have more offensive options this year which I like but in the process we did lose some star power in Heatly. Our goaltending looks to be improved with Leclaire and a hopefully improved Elliot. I think our team will be a little better and fighting for a 6th.7th, or 8th seed in the East.
If you look back at 'Scoring under Clouston' thread, Heatley was scoring at a 60-70 point pace IIRC... Which is what Michalek will bring. And we were winning games.
Add in the added depth and our scoring will definitely be fine.
Yes, but you have to remember Heatley was in a deminished role under Clouston and was not a intergal part of the team....
Goaltending is the huge thing. If the goaltending meets expectations (well my expectations) then yes we will be a better team. If goaltending is the same as last years, were effed. Some teams can have shaky goaltending and still do well, and I dont think we have that luxury anymore.
Yes they lost a elite scorer but in return they got 2 players that will add depth up front.While they may not have a 50 goal scorer they have a more balanced offence which they have been lacking.
Look at it this way, is Washington a better team if they trade Ovechkin for three 50 point forwards?
I was hoping that we would get a defenseman as a return for the heatley trade. Its an area that needs to be improved
I only partly agree. Would you have been happy with Smid or Ehrhoff? I wouldn't have been. Those guys are just medicore, which is a word that sums up every single defenseman already on this team. We do not need another mediocre defensemen when we have oodles of options in the next few years, with guys like Karlsson, Cowen and Wiercioch, not to mention the players we already have.
If we were to have received a defenseman back for Heatley, I would have only wanted it to be a bona fide top-pairing one, and then our offense would have taken a serious hit. I'm fine with what we got.
Look at it this way, is Washington a better team if they trade Ovechkin for three 50 point forwards?
first Heatley wasnt our best player last season
if they had SPezza/Alfie / Kovalev
then ya i guess
you have to look at the big picture, if Heatley was our only star player then ya we would be screwed, but we have three top line players so i am not that worried
