Sliding Doors Series: 2018-19 Krugars

Many people believe and have said that, as of submitting his Protected Roster, the Victoria Krugars had among the strongest defence in the league with Carlson (68), Tyson Barrie (57), Dougie Hamitlon (44) and two up- and comers in Shea Theodore and Miro Heiskanen. They also have (according to almost everyone) a decent goalie in Martin Jones.  Their forwards were Bergeron, Couture, Johansen and Hertl (and Tolvanen).

GMJK decided he wanted to stay young (in a vain attempt stave off the march of time) and upgrade his forwards, and so he made a deal with GMMM to swap the 4th overall for the 12th overall and to exchange Couture/Carlson for Ehlers/Seth Jones. Many think GMJK chose the best World Junior team of all time at the draft.

But what if, in a year where the Claassics folded and many GMs went full Dorion rebuild and Kovalchuk joined the league, GMJK had GONE FOR IT!!(tm). Let’s investigate what was available to him at each pick if he had gone for veterans with point production and where it would leave his current roster….

1-4 -  He does what MattMack did with this pick and take Blake Wheeler

1-15 -  Hoffman/Kovalchuk/JVR all available - Smart money has him going with Hoffman here.

2-19 - Kovalchuk still available.

4-49 -  Zuccarello

6-79 -  Turris

6-88 -  Bring back Stastny

7-94 -  Hornqvist

8-106 -  Tyler Johnson

8-109 -  Patrick Marleau

9-124 -  Josh Manson (D)

11-154 - Rasmus Kupari (p)

Does that set of picks and his pre-trade roster with Bergeron/Couture/Johansen and Hertl and 5 D-men and Martin Jones get it done this year for a second KCKL crown? Did GMJK completely underestimate the quality of scoring vets that would be available in the later rounds this year and totally blow an opportunity? Tune in to see!

GMJK might really be kicking myself come this April. Or not. Whatever.