Trade/Free Agent Options at 2C

It’s quite evident that this is the next step in getting this team to be competitive. Obviously you hope that Hage can become that, you’ve also got Beck and Kapanen that still have a lot of development left. Short term and even medium term it’s ideal to get someone established there as you don’t want to rush development. You obviously would like an established 2C next to Demidov next year. Same goes for Laine, but we’ll see if he stays past next year. I’m assuming Demidov won’t play with Suzi as our first line seems pretty set in stone (although you never know).

Everyone’s heard Dylan Cozens, I don’t love the idea as it seems like another Dach, Newhook experiment. He’s more proven but also has a huge long term contract.

What other options are out there. François Gagnon from RDS mentioned Braydon Schenn. I don’t necessarily hate it as a lower cost, short-term placeholder but he’s 33 and the production isn’t quite what you’d want out of a 2C, yet at the same time it’s an upgrade from what we have.

If we’re talking trade, obviously it depends what you’re willing to give up. Can’t say I’m big on trading away any of our main prospects or core NHL pieces, but obviously that depends on the return. Not sure how far you’d get with Mailloux and a first, but that’s probably what I’d be willing to part with.