(Edit: Like normal, I started writing this before Mikey responded. Always do that somehow
)
Not sure if you want specific moves or not, so I'm just going to go general for now, and also not really cover a lot since I'm just spitballing at this point.
Do whatever ya want to do. If there's a specific move, say it! If it's just a general "Blow the whole team up," that's cool too. If this thread devolves into a RNH discussion, or a Hall bashing, that's all fine by me.
retire
If you were selecting a random team on NHL 15 or whatever... this is when you'd randomize everything again or start over.
Now, that being said, there are some questions that'd really define what I did with the Oilers.
1) Is Nugent-Hopkins going to develop into a top-line center like Duchene or Backstrom? Or has the Oilers immediately throwing him into the NHL stunted his growth?
2) Is Schultz capable of progressing & playing defense? Or is he just the next Marc-Andre Bergeron / Wisniewski?
Anyway, I think the time for relying on youth's over. Bring in some vets to handle the brunt of the burden & let the youth safely develop in a cocoon. I would trade one of the following - RNH, Hall, Eberle, or Yakupov - in a Tyler Seguin-esque trade to bring in some veteran pieces. I do not want any of those players (except perhaps Hall) on the #1 line. Perhaps Toronto would be gullible enough to send JVR or Kessel back in a bigger deal. I'd also throw in a couple of this year's draft picks. Screw the draft this year.
With the remaining 3 (unless RNH is the one traded), I'd make that the de facto 2nd line. That means I'd need a first line. Thus, I'd throw money at either Richards or Vermette, the two best centers in the FA market (IMO). Give them the chance to be a #1 center on an upcoming team, and also a chance to make some serious cash. One of his wingers would hopefully be brought back in the trade. At the other wing, I'd again look to FA: Tlusty, Glencross, or maybe Fleischmann. Not someone who has a top 3 skill per se, but instead someone who can complement the other 2 (like Dupuis to Crosby).
The third line, I'd be okay with Lander or Roy. I'd also be okay with Pouliot. However, that means I'd need another winger. I'd pull that from the FA as well (if I didn't get a trade), hoping for a high-$$ one-year deal to Glencross or someone similar... someone who has work ethic & grit. Maybe even Erik Cole, Bergenheim, or Stempniak. The fourth line will consist of the other center (whoever lost between Lander & Roy) playing wing to Hendricks, and also Klinkhammer.
So, the forwards would look like this, assuming Eberle is the one traded...
FA-Vermette-Trade(Kessel?)
Hall-RNH-Yakupov (perhaps switching Glencross with Hall)
Pouliot-Lander-FA
Roy-Hendricks-Klinkhammer
Defensively, I really question if any of the current young d-men outside of Klefbom can work. I'd be happy to trade most of them away. That means I'd be left with Ference, Klefbom, & Fayne. That means throwing more money! I'd throw it at either Martin or Beauchemin. I'd also look to get a top 2 d-man out of a trade (giving away more draft picks). I'd bring up Nurse & give him protected time in the bottom 2 pairing. That means...
Martin/Beauchemin-Trade
Klefbom-Fayne
Nurse-Ference
Thus, I'd be trading Marincin, Schultz, Aulie's rights, & Nikitin.
Goaltender-wise, neither Fasth nor Scrivens are starter quality. I'd go HARD for Niemi, promising him a guaranteed starting spot. Then I'd see if I could trade either Fasth or Scrivens, & use the other as a backup.
Finally, I'd go for a Claude Julien or similar coach. Someone who can create a strong defensive system to protect the defense & goalie.
A few notes...
- I do think RNH can turn into that #1 center, just as Hall can be the #1 winger. However, I don't think either can do it together. They need sheltered time away from the top line to focus on development & keeping healthy. Heck, Hall's still only 23 & RNH's 21. However, they're making Duchene & Landeskog $$... and I don't think they're as good.
- Eberle & Yakupov are much lower on the totem pole for me, & I'd be much happier trading them. I think Eberle's going to be a fine player - maybe similar to Eriksson or some other quality forward - but he does not have the potential of Hall. I also don't like his 6 million cap hit; I'd rather give some of that $ to FAs & Yakupov. As for Yakupov... I hesitate to give up on him, but he desperately needs some development.
- I don't like Purcell. He's Michel Ouellet.
