Which Two to keep?

[Kawee]

Hey everyone, league information and team should all be in my signature. With the team currently constructed, I am now deciding to keep two of Cole Perfetti, Oliver Wahlstrom, Vasily Podkolzin, or MacKenzie Blackwood. Who would be your two picks for my last two keeper slots? I'm leaning Perfetti for sure for one of them, but struggling for the second spot heavily. I'm tempted to keep Blackwood since my only two goalies are Oettinger and Quick, however, I like Wahlstrom and Podkolzin a lot so it could be the wrong move. Thanks for your responses in advance, I will give rep as always when I can!

[random-d]

I would keep Podkolzin and Perfetti. None of those teams scream "this player could catch fire next season" so I would be going with the best name value. Even if Winnipeg is a tire fire, there are plenty of people who believe Perfetti is a solid own for the future. So, even if you don't get immediate stat value you still have trade value. I think Podkolzin actually has the most potential value for next season. Vancouver isn't super deep on scoring threats. All he has to do is take some small steps and he could easily be on a scoring line and poaching some pp minutes. The other 2 I consider lost causes. NJ is still battling out of the mire Lou left them in and the Islanders are heading into it. The only way Wahlstrom gets a great opportunity is if they blow up the roster and try to do a full retool/rebuild. But Lou doesn't do that so count on him continuing to bring in blue collar grinders and washed up vets and swimming in mediocrity the way NJ did after the 2012 cup final. Any NJ fan right now will tell you, they can't play defense. Besides the fact that I don't think Blackwood is a real #1, you're betting on a long shot of him netting you any real value either in the stats or the trade market for the near future. Keep Perfetti and Podkolzin and then try and turn them into a upgrade. That would be my thinking.

[stevegamer]

First off, not Blackwood. He's injured, on a mediocre team, and has posted mediocre or worse numbers the last 2 years.

Perfetti is a good choice as the first guy. Winnipeg underachieved this year, and I think he's got a full time top 6 role next year without question.

Between Wahlstrom & Podkolzin, it will depend somewhat on the coaches. I have more faith in Vancouver having an offensive style than the Islanders due to the Islander GM's love for grinders, and Boudreau being in Vancouver.

[Belexus75]

I’m with others, Podkolzin and Perfetti

[Smurf54]

No to Blackwood. Yes to Perfetti.

Then pick your poison from the other 2. I kind of lean Wahlstrom. I think he will benefit from a coaching change and has a higher offensive ceiling - more likely to become a legitimate first line player. Podkolzin is solid, and potentially safer, but I kind of see him turning out as a reliable second line winger. But hard to say. You could make a reasonable argument either way.

[Bubba55]

Agreed, Blackwood is a no, Perfetti is a yes. Then it gets tough. There are so many unknown factors with Pods and Wahlstrom that will come into play next year and beyond that its a best guess IMO. Personally, I like Wahlstrom but Podkolzin could just as easily be the best choice.

[Feenom]

Perfetti and Podkolzin.

[bbfl1987]

Perfetti has to be one. Podkolzin and Wahlstrom are close. They should both have plenty of opportunities next season. Toss up.

[senryu]

Perfetti is the easy yes, and then I'll say Podkolzin.

[E63Wagon]

Another vote for Perfetti and Podkolzin

[Kawee]

First off, not Blackwood. He's injured, on a mediocre team, and has posted mediocre or worse numbers the last 2 years.

Perfetti is a good choice as the first guy. Winnipeg underachieved this year, and I think he's got a full time top 6 role next year without question.

Between Wahlstrom & Podkolzin, it will depend somewhat on the coaches. I have more faith in Vancouver having an offensive style than the Islanders due to the Islander GM's love for grinders, and Boudreau being in Vancouver.

Sounds good, it's a tough decision for sure between Wahlstrom and Podkolzin, based on all the other responses as well! I will definitely keep Perfetti as my original plan, and decide between Podkolzin or Wahlstrom when I need to. Thank you, it won't let me give you rep unfortunately

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I’m with others, Podkolzin and Perfetti

Perfetti for sure, and right now I am leaning Podkolzin but I still will definitely go back and forth before declarations are due. Thank you!

[Kawee]

No to Blackwood. Yes to Perfetti.

Then pick your poison from the other 2. I kind of lean Wahlstrom. I think he will benefit from a coaching change and has a higher offensive ceiling - more likely to become a legitimate first line player. Podkolzin is solid, and potentially safer, but I kind of see him turning out as a reliable second line winger. But hard to say. You could make a reasonable argument either way.

For sure, I see definite arguments for either player getting the nod over the other. I definitely will keep Perfetti, as everyone seems to agree that he is a keeper for sure! Thank you

[Kawee]

Agreed, Blackwood is a no, Perfetti is a yes. Then it gets tough. There are so many unknown factors with Pods and Wahlstrom that will come into play next year and beyond that its a best guess IMO. Personally, I like Wahlstrom but Podkolzin could just as easily be the best choice.

For sure, I will certainly keep Perfetti now, and I've felt that it was a tossup between those two either way for next season! Leaning Podkolzin if I had to choose today but I do not, so just wanted more opinions! Thank you

[Kawee]

Perfetti has to be one. Podkolzin and Wahlstrom are close. They should both have plenty of opportunities next season. Toss up.

Makes sense, I personally lean Podkolzin right now if I had to choose but declarations are a long ways away so I do not! I do see it mainly as a toss up as well, mainly why I wanted to ask and see if it favoured one or the other but it certainly does not haha! Thank you for your opinion!

[This Guy]

Yeah Perfetti and then Podz/Wahlstrom. I think Wahlstrom will take longer to be a keeper, so go with Podz for next season for sure. In two or three years you might want Wahlstrom over Podkolzin but there are too many unknowns (coaching changes in both organizations)