Curious Hair wrote:
That team had Trevor Daley and David Rundblad on it. What a HUGE difference retooling the defense has made. I keep hammering it, but I can't get over how for years now Edmonton has sorely needed top-four defensemen, then when they actually draft one in Gustafsson, they don't bother signing him (it wasn't a matter of an impasse, they just let the rights lapse without all that much consideration) and then he gets scooped up by the Blackhawks, where he promptly becomes an able replacement for Johnny Oduya. Frankly, it's a little ridiculous. This was the shit the Red Wings did: their tentacles were so far-reaching in European scouting that no one ever got by them.
I'm pretty optimistic about Richard Panik. Project players get a bad rap, and often from me when it comes to guys like Viktor Stalberg, but if we're to round out a roster with cheap guys out of necessity, let it be with toolsy decent-upside guys like Panik and Rasmussen rather than bums like Bickell and Garbutt. Not quite the same, but if we can get Lee Stempniak out of Jersey for the home stretch, I'll be very happy. Seriously, all that guy does is get traded mid-season and help teams: Winnipeg last year, Pittsburgh and Phoenix before that.
http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hoc ... r.php?2922SCOUTING REPORT
Assets: Can be a special-teams factor, and can even play the point on the power play. Owns good quickness and a sneaky wrister. Can play either wing position and displays goal-scoring acumen.
Flaws: Doesn't have a lot of refinement in his play without the puck. Is somewhat undersized, which hinders his ability to win puck battles consistently. He's too streaky as a scorer.
Career Potential: Veteran depth winger.
Makes around 900k, decent replacement for Garbutt