LogansDad said:
Love it. This feels like a move that says they know they are close to being a contender this year (which I agree with if everyone is healthy), and they want to get some offense and get Pastrnak as much experience as they can before the playoffs start.
Those top three lines look so much better the way PSK has them than they have been.
Agreed 100%. I'll even go a step further...
http://youtu.be/122gYbvvjzo
I've been doing a little digging and also came up with a name the Bruins might be looking at with their scouting of St. Louis. What's the SOSH view and skinny on Joakim Lindstrom? Here's some things I've noticed in my preliminary research.
-Journeyman NHL Swede (31) could play either wing.
-Lit up the 2014 WC and tied 5th for scoring with Ovechkin.
-Has steadily progressed in scoring.
-Not great +/- differentials.
-Plays hard for a European player. Has led his Swedish team in points and penalty minutes.
-Has played with Loui at various points on the Swedish national team. (2:04 in video, I think?)
-One year deal at 700K.
Most of the numbers appear to line up as far as I can tell.
-Contract is up after this year.
-Cheap: 700K. Cut Gagne and it's almost a wash.
-Versatile. Maintain your organizational depth.
So you try to pry him away from St. Louis for one of or a mix of a pick/cash considerations/prospect.
So then you're looking at:
Lucic - Krejci - Pastrnak
Marchand - Bergeron - Smith
Lindstrom - Soderberg - Eriksson
Paille - Kelly - Campbell
Overall speed and skill just went up on the offensive end, and not insignificantly. With Krejci back playing with the kid, Lindstrom amplifies the success of Loui and Yeti, and you bump Kelly to power a fourth line that can out-skate and score any opponent's fourth line.
The things I don't know:
-What does St. Louis think about him? Is a vital cog for their team?
-Is he a one zone player and could he adapt to the system? Is there enough time?
-Other issues that point to why he is a journeyman NHL player to begin with.
Maybe I'm hitting the Eggnog too hard, but it's an idea. Thoughts?