Interview starts at 26:17
Highlights:
-Envisions Skjei aging well due to his style of play and physical abilities. Part of the reason why he was comfortable giving him 7 years. He wanted to lock up a top 2 pairing for the foreseeable future. Discussed in length how Skjei was the shutdown D pairing in Carolina and New York despite both teams have more star-worthy players on defense like Slavin or Fox.
-Also mentioned Lauzon as an extension candidate in 2 years to keep in the D core.
-Identifies “identity line” as McCarron, Sissons, and Smith.
-Admits that although these new signings are older, it allows the prospects in the organization to develop at a realistic pace rather than be forced into a top 6 or 9 role which they may not be ready for. Admits this has been an organizational problem for some time.
-Spitballed Stamkos, Marchessault, and Novak as rounding out the top-6, but would ideally love to be able to pair up two older guys with a younger player like Tomasino or Evangelista to have a competitive top-9 rather than a first line, second line, etc.
-Envisions a natural aging process where the younger guys start lower on the totem pole, and as the core gets older, the younger guys move up in the lineup when they’re ready.
-Credits Poile for being able to fast forward the rebuild by stocking up on prospects and draft picks the past couple years.
-Admits Tomasino and Evangelista have had two different paths of development, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
-Chose Tomasino over Afanaseyev to crack the lineup this year, which is one of the reasons Egor was traded. Said Tomasino has higher upside.
-McDonagh asked for a favor for him and his family to be traded back to Tampa.
-Mentioned how Askarov is a top-end talent, but still needs to refine some technicalities. He doesn’t believe him backing up Saros and only getting 10-20 starts is beneficial for his growth. Envisions a gradual transition similar to Pekka and Juuse. Still believes Askarov can and will be a star, but needs more time to develop despite the pedigree of Askarov as an elite prospect and despite the player’s wishes
-Admits a trade is still possible, but he has to protect the organization first rather than the player.
-Expects to move an asset or two for more cap flexibility
by _Dirty_Commie_
7 Comments
My apologies for the formatting error; stupid Reddit mobile.
That was such a good interview. Especially the tea about choosing Tomasino over Egor.
I love how honest Trotzy is. He’d make a horrible politician.
Hes honest while playing chess, not checkers. Tomasino reads like a guy with confidence issues and statements like that have an impact.
Did he mention Glass at all? I know it’s probably time but I still believe in the kid
Awesome interview, thanks for sharing it!
You are a champ for putting all this in here.
Exciting to hear the line up ideas IF these young filler guys can handle it. Would be nice to have a threat on 3 lines. It has been frustrating not really having a 3rd line that had a clear identity. Just exist And used for special teams.