Eat what you kill

[The Napkin]

A few years back someone (might have been on here but I can't remember for sure) mentioned something about a thing they did where they would pick a player from each team you defeat in the playoffs to join your team.
 
So the Bruins would now be able to pick a Wing that would join their roster for the rest of the playoffs. The Habs a Bolt. The Hawks a Blue. You get the idea.
 
Keep in mind that you'll obviously have to drop a Bruin as well. So there should be some type of consistency in who you're replacing. You wouldn't replace a goalie with a forward for instance. Unless you really wanted to I suppose. Go nuts. It's fantasy.
 
So ... you're Chia. You can select anyone from the active roster of the Wings. Who you taking? Why? Who are you replacing?
 
And feel free to do this with the other teams who have been eliminated and as more teams fall as well.
 
(also, if this was your idea I stole speak up, we should credit you. Though maybe I killed you and this idea is what I stole from you. Or something.)

 

[TSC]

Zetterberg for Caron, and it's not even close.
 
Lucic/Krejci/Iginla
Marchand/Bergeron/Smith
Zetterberg/Soderberg/Eriksson 
Florek/Campbell/Thornton (Inset Kelly and Paille for Florek and Thornton when they're healthy).
 
I mean, c'man.

 

[erfus]

That's fun--is this for just the rest of the playoff run or long term?
 
If it's long term, I go with Nyquist.  24 yrs old and signed for 950k next season.  He plays the right side and had his coming out party this season.  Insulated by a grizzled, veteran-but-still-young Bs team he could really thrive.  He came up in the Wings system and marinated for a while in the AHL so I think he's a solid bet to be an All Star caliber player for a while.  Best of all, you add him and drop Jordan Caron or Shawn Thornton from the 4th line, bumping down Florek.
 
Even if it's short term, I may consider Nyquist.  However, for a short term boost it'd be hard to pass up Kronwall.  Sort of a souped-up Johnny Boychuk, you can tab him to be the 2nd pair, co-shutdown guy and bump Bartkowski to a depth D role, while jettisoning Meszaros.

 

[NYCSox]

Datsyuk for Caron/Florek and put him on Bergy's line - don't care which one plays RW.
 
The opponent will never cross the red line when that line is on the ice. And I'm only half kidding.

 

[RIFan]

It would have to be Datsyuk. You would add him to the Bergeron and drop Smith to the 3rd line, Florek (or Kelly) to the 4th and Caron to the 9th floor. I don't really care who centers the line, although Bergeron has more experience at RW due to the Olympics. You're going need the ultimate shut down line when the Habs add Stamkos and put him on a line with Vanek.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Zetterberg for Caron, and it's not even close.
 
Lucic/Krejci/Iginla
Marchand/Bergeron/Smith
Zetterberg/Soderberg/Eriksson 
Florek/Campbell/Thornton (Inset Kelly and Paille for Florek and Thornton when they're healthy).
 
I mean, c'man.

I'd go Datsyuk, he's the better player all-around, and a touch more healthy.  Drop Thornton.
 
Bergy/Dats/Smith
LKI
Marchand/Yeti/Loui

 

[smastroyin]

My first feeling was for Zetterberg with the same reasons as TSC I think.  I would love to see that Swedish line, and he would improve the PP.
 
However, on the off-chance that Paille is just not going to come back, I think it would be great to find a way to slot in Datsyuk for his penalty kill abilities and being an awesome player to boot.  And they will need the penalty kill help against the Canadiens.  Have to drop Thornton as well, and Florek if Paille comes back too.

 

[Dogman]

It would have to be Datsyuk. You would add him to the Bergeron and drop Smith to the 3rd line, Florek (or Kelly) to the 4th and Caron to the 9th floor. I don't really care who centers the line, although Bergeron has more experience at RW due to the Olympics. You're going need the ultimate shut down line when the Habs add Stamkos and put him on a line with Vanek.

 
 
Yeah, but how would Chia explain that one?
 
 
I'd add Datsyuk and move Smith to the 3rd line, bump Florek or Kelly to the 4th and Caron sits. Goals, defense, wizardry on that line.

 

[The Napkin]

That's fun--is this for just the rest of the playoff run or long term?
 
If it's long term, I go with Nyquist.  24 yrs old and signed for 950k next season.  He plays the right side and had his coming out party this season.  Insulated by a grizzled, veteran-but-still-young Bs team he could really thrive.  He came up in the Wings system and marinated for a while in the AHL so I think he's a solid bet to be an All Star caliber player for a while.  Best of all, you add him and drop Jordan Caron or Shawn Thornton from the 4th line, bumping down Florek.
 
Even if it's short term, I may consider Nyquist.  However, for a short term boost it'd be hard to pass up Kronwall.  Sort of a souped-up Johnny Boychuk, you can tab him to be the 2nd pair, co-shutdown guy and bump Bartkowski to a depth D role, while jettisoning Meszaros.

 
Let's go with just for the playoffs for now. Maybe we'll have a "poach a player" thread in the off-season for the other one. I like that idea.
 
Also, you obviously get the player as is. So Datsyuk is injured with whatever it is Babcock said he was injured with, Zetterberg has a bad back, etc.

 

[The Napkin]

Another interesting wrinkle I just thought about is that maybe we should make the new team have to be cap compliant. Or at least within rounding distance. That'd make it a little more difficult than just taking star player A to replace fill in player B.

 

[cshea]

I have a hard time saying no to Pavel Datsyuk. Dude is amazing, probably a top 10 player in the game and a beast in all situations. Detroit scored 6 goals in 5 games, and he factored into 5 of the goals.

That said, to throw someone else out there- Nik Kronwall might be the guy and I'd drop Corey Potter. Kronwall would probably be the biggest upgrade for the Bruins. He'd be a huge upgrade on Matt Bartkowski.

 

[Dan to Theo to Ben]

Chicago would have a tough call. I'd probably take Backes and move Hanzus to LW (def. take out Bollig, who's useless)
 
Steen and TJ Sochi would be also be good choices, but there is no shoot out for the latter.  Maybe a couple years ago I'd take Miller but not now.

 

[cshea]

I would think the Hawks take one of St. Louis' stud defensemen. Probably Pietrangelo since the Hawks left side is quite formidable as it is with Keith, Hjalmarsson and Leddy. The right side is a bit weaker, after Seabrook they have Roszival and Oduya.

Edit: they can easily drop Sheldon Brookbank.

 

[veritas]

I have a hard time saying no to Pavel Datsyuk. Dude is amazing, probably a top 10 player in the game and a beast in all situations. Detroit scored 6 goals in 5 games, and he factored into 5 of the goals.

That said, to throw someone else out there- Nik Kronwall might be the guy and I'd drop Corey Potter. Kronwall would probably be the biggest upgrade for the Bruins. He'd be a huge upgrade on Matt Bartkowski.

 
I was thinking about Kronwall too, especially if Datsyuk is playing seriously hurt and Kelly and Paille are coming back. But right now I think Datsyuk is probably a bigger upgrade over Florek than Kronwall is over Bart/Meszaros. And a 3rd line of Carl/Datsyuk/Eriksson would be insane
 
Also, holy shit the Red Wings are left handed heavy:  http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/roster/_/name/det/detroit-red-wings  Is that correct? 3 right handed shots on the whole team?

 

[Red Right Ankle]

It would have to be Datsyuk. You would add him to the Bergeron and drop Smith to the 3rd line, Florek (or Kelly) to the 4th and drop Caron from the 9th floor.

Yeah, Datsyuk may have been injured, but as cshea astutely notes, he didn't play like it.
 
Kronwall is an interesting choice, too.  The guy's solid in his own end and he had 49 points this year which would have led the Bruins' D by 9 points.  Then again, maybe you just play Datsyuk at D?  
 
Kidding aside, I think his 5 on 5 and PP production and his defensive prowess make him the choice even with the injury.  I'd probably bump Thornton or Caron, move Florek down a line and put Datsyuk on the third line.

 

[ForceAtHome]

Among the teams to already advance:

• Chicago takes Alex Pietrangelo (for Brookbank)
• Anaheim takes Jamie Benn (for Etem)
• Boston takes Pavel Datsyuk (for Thornton/Caron)
• Montreal takes Steven Stamkos (for Weise/Bournival)

Among the teams currently leading their series:

• Colorado takes Ryan Suter (for Wilson)
• San Jose takes Drew Doughty (for Hannan)
• New York takes Claude Giroux (for Dorsett/Carcillo)
• Pittsburgh takes Ryan Johansen (for Megna) or Sergei Bobrovsky (for Vokoun)

That's 3 superstar defensemen and 4 superstar centers. The only one seriously in question for me is who Pittsburgh would take. I think I'd lean Johansen, but the argument could probably be made for Bobrobsky.

 

[erfus]

 

• Montreal takes Steven Stamkos (for Weise/Bournival)

 
This idea just became less fun. 

 

[Ferm Sheller]

 
This idea just became less fun. 

Wait until we get Hypothetical Vanek in the next round.

 

[TFP]

 
This idea just became less fun. 

 
Leads to a good follow up question though. Would you rather have the Bruins gain Dastyuk/Zetterberg/Kronwall/etc with the knowledge that Montreal would get Stamkos? Or would you just leave the teams as is? 
 
Also, if I'm Montreal I'd think long and hard about taking Callahan over Stamkos, namely because he gives them some fantastic grit and skill and is another continual thorn in the side of the Bruins. I'm only saying that with the knowledge that Stamkos is still very hurt and not comfortable skating. Obviously you take a healthy Stamkos every day and twice on Sunday.

 

[MoGator71]

Wait until we get Hypothetical Vanek in the next round.

That adds a new wrinkle, do you take Kronwall now anticipating taking on Vanek? Or do you take Zetterberg/Datsyuk now and then...well, this thread will be fun in 2 weeks when you add Subban.

I have no idea who I'd take Wednesday night after we finish off the Rags. If McDonagh was 100% it's him, but I don't think he is. I'd probably swap Lundqvist for Emery.

 

[Red Right Ankle]

I like your confidence Gator.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I think Datsyuk is a no-brainer, for Potter (or Caron if it has to be a forward or someone in the lineup).
 
First of all, he's a tremendous insurance policy.  As good as the Bruins look right now, they would take a big step downward if Krejci or Bergeron were injured.  Not so, with Datsyuk.
 
Second, he's a LH shooting center, so he's be useful on the PP/PK and as a wing on Bergeron's line.  
 
Third, he's a great two-way player.  They can find a way to fit one of those into the lineup even though they don't "need" a center. 
 
Fourth, even though Kronwall would be a great add, the Bruins are looking very strong on defense - even if we assume McQuaid and Seids are done.
 
If not Datsyuk, I think I'd go with Brandon Smith just because it would be fun to have him on the same team as brother Reilly... and Chara.

 

[Greg29fan]

Jack Johnson for Rob Scuderi please and thank you