Final Keeper - Krejci or Lecavalier

[Oakville Squires]

Krejci or Lecavalier for final keeper spot? - any thoughts would be appreciated.

Team and league details in signature below.

[Pengwin7]

Tough call.
I'm a big fan of Krejci. He is a very smart player... great hockey sense, great hands.

For all we know, Boston could shuffle their lines in the future a little bit and result in an uptick in production. I think he's one of those guys whose stats don't reflect how good he is. Boston also manages/balances the ice time of their forwards quite a bit.

For as much as I like Krejci... the past may continue. Boston may not change up his lines and he may not get any more ice time. I think he has capacity to be a 70pt player, with the right linemates and PP1... but I don't know if it will happen.

With TB & Lecavalier... they gave Vinny a chance to play with MSL this year and Vinny still gets that PP1 time. Now, they'll be looking at probably adding one of Drouin or MacKinnon. Both of those guys could be aligned to the wing to create 4 really solid offensive players on the top two lines for TB.

I don't know... this is a hard one.

I notice you have Kesler bolded.
I might be incined to keep both Krejci & Lecavalier over the wonky-Kesler.

I'll go with Krejci... but the draft pick situation for TB tightens it up.

[Bass56]

I like Pengwin's analysis above. However, I am inclined to keep Lecavalier over Krejci for the reasons listed.

TB's top 6 will be pretty strong next year and Lecavalier is bound to have some good linemates. He is not getting younger and will never hit close to 100 pts again, let alone a point per game, but I think he is a decent multi-cat player that can get you 70pts if he remains healthy.

That being said, Krejci is not as good fantasy-wise as he is good in real-life. He does alot of things that don't count in the fantasy world. His point ouput is also very much linked to his linemates' talent. Lecavalier could still get you 55-60 pts playing with Killorn and Malone instead of Purcell and Drouin...

[Bass56]

I don't know... this is a hard one.

I notice you have Kesler bolded.
I might be incined to keep both Krejci & Lecavalier over the wonky-Kesler.

Hmmm, I feel Kesler is the best of the 3, but the injury bug has hit him more often then not in the past few years.

Pengwin's suggestion is not bad at all. I would be inclined to do that as well if you can... You can re-draft Kesler as he is likely to fly under the radar more than Vinny or Krejci.

[bigbabybuda]

I agree with almost everything the peguinman said. Krejci has been long one of my favorite players in the league. I would take the risk and give him a go. I think as was stated his regular season numbers do not show a proper gaging of just how good he is and think there is a real possibility he gets an expanded offensive roll next year. But still a very tough, close call.

[Oakville Squires]

I appreciate all of the thoughts and hadn't really considered getting rid of Kesler but it is definately an option (still think he has a lot of upside playing with the Sedin's on the powerplay). I think it may come down to whether I have anyone interested in sending me draft picks one of the three.

[CascadeFilly]

I like Krejci here. He's still got a bit more upside, he doesn't get injured every season, and he's younger. I like Vinny as a player, but he's been a headache to own lately, in my opinion.

[mounD]

Another option here is to explore the trade market with these guys: Krecji and Lecavalier.

DK is one of those players who has all the tools to be close to PPG player, even on a very deep / balanced B's club. I would try to dangle Krecji, since he is basically a playoff specialist, and see what the return might be. Talk about the skill, his age, the possibility for increased offensive role in coming seasons, potential to play w/ Seguin etc. BUT also stress how well Krecji performs (and is now performing) in the playoffs. He was very nearly PPG (leading his team in goals and points during the SC run) and is killing it with the point production right now.

Selling all these factors to an owner looking to upgrade at Center could net you a solid return (draft picks) and make your keeper decision much easier. This is the perfect time of year to dangle a playoff stud like David Krecji. See what happens.

Cheers.

[mister_mcgoo]

I like Krejci the best of the 3 being discussed, then probably Vinny, then Kesler

[Kofax]

I have to go with Krejci and Lecavelier and dropping Kesler.

He really only has the two seasons at an elite level, and his peripherals help, but you really have to worry about his health going forward and the uncertainty surrounding Vancouver at this point in time. Mind you, you could make a somewhat similar argument with Lecavelier, but I feel he has a better track record and is further removed from injury.

[27Blue]

Get rid of Dan Boyle. He looked terrible most of this year and even worse in the playoffs. He is getting old and it is taking a toll on his game. His numbers were way down this year, and I expect the trend to continue. Package him with another forward for an upgrade somewhere else.

[Mr. Guru]

Krejci (vs vinny) and it's not even close

[fungchen3]

Get rid of Dan Boyle. He looked terrible most of this year and even worse in the playoffs. He is getting old and it is taking a toll on his game. His numbers were way down this year, and I expect the trend to continue. Package him with another forward for an upgrade somewhere else.

I agree with this. If possible, let Boyle walk and keep both Krejci and Lecavalier. You have Morrow and Gardiner on your farm just begging for some ice time next season. I see Boyle's stats on the decline at this point in his career - still a solid performer but not high-end like we're used to. If you HAVE to choose between Krejci and Lecavalier, I would probably keep Krejci.

[Mr. Guru]

Id rather Boyle over Vinny any day!

[Oakville Squires]

I appreciate the comments. I will definately look to explore the trade market and see if there is any interest in Kesler, Krejci or Lecavalier and go from there (would be a much easier decision is Krejci had better peripheral stats other than just points).

I agree that Boyle is getting older but right now I am in contention for the Championship next year and would find his stats (particularly his STP and shots) hard to replace on D for the upcoming year. I have to activate Gardiner next year so I am hoping he can step up and replace Boyle as a keeper D.