The usual day to day injuries which are keeping players who on paper were regular defenders (Visnovsky, deHaan, Carkner) on a thin unit already are happening already.
What's going to happen if Hamonic get's one of his frequent concussions in the three games against Boston/New Jersey this week?
A lot of defenders on the prospect list, no answers.
And is anyone expecting Calvin deHaan or Lubomir Visnovsky not to struggle after all this time off without playing? (the same players who finished last season injured with Grabner off two concussions?)
This time the 2014-15 October schedule can frankly can end a season, and easily get a coach fired with a 3-7/2-8 start) before they go to the West coast in November this time.
The 2013-14 schedule was far easier as the club limped to five hundred that first month.
Up front the thirty million dollar center they signed (Grabovski) who's played nine career games as a winger has been skating as a winger at times because the coach wants Brock Nelson to play center or to put him with Tavares/Okposo.
No one gives a player thirty million dollars (after being bought out) to change positions.
Bottom line if you want Nelson to be a center (which is fine) don't sign Grabovski because those alternatives include Nelson/Nielsen/Strome becoming wingers with Cizikas or someone is traded.
Find a winger who will take thirty million dollars? If you can't find one don't spend the money.
Center:
Tavares-four years.
Grabovski-five years.
Nelson-several years before UFA.
Nielsen-two years.
Strome-several years before UFA.
Cizikas-several years before UFA.
Part time drafted center Josh Bailey-four years before UFA.
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My advice is do not put a lot of stock in all ATO/PTO contracts or players placed on waivers.
Many Stockton players are now here also.
Being sent to Bridgeport until next week means being sent to a different part of Iceworks with Brent Thompson. A recall means going to a different part of the rink.
And these players are not skating in any games because none are scheduled. Some have been here for about three weeks and have played one game at best.
After the three games Snow/Capuano will make the real changes, and there will be a good three/four days of practices/chemistry with whoever is healthy.
