After only making 2 trades the first 2/3 of the season the Millers have been involved in 3 deals in the past week. Below is a write-up of each trade, examining the expected effect on the rest of the this season and a preview of the 24-25 season.
GEO trades S. Varlamov & J. Martinook to FOR for J. Allen & Y. Gourde…
This season: Varlamov had been an expensive bust as the backup keeper and Martinook fell out of the lineup after the first month. In return the Millers downgraded ratings wise with Allen as the new back-up but gained more flexibility by bringing in Gourde, who can play all 3 positions and contribute on both special teams. With Reilly Smith not clicking on the Larkin line it’s expected Gourde will play RW to relieve some of Larkin’s defensive responsibilities. He’ll also see PK time and could make an appearance on the 2nd PP unit.
Next season: Gourde’s scoring has dropped off so far this NHL season and it’s likely he’ll be on the 3rd line and on the PK. Allen will battle Lukas Dostal for the right to backup Stuart Skinner in net.
CAP trades D. Fabbro to GEO for N. Jensen
This season: Jensen has been a mainstay in the lineup recently, but his PK performance had dropped off and he had fallen back into his early season penalty-drawing rut. With Shea Theodore having returned from injury Jensen was likely the odd man out if the Millers went 12-6, as they liked the performance of Jake Bean on the PP and on the 3rd pairing. Fabbro won’t ever live up to his prospect potential but he’s a solid 4 to 6 D and is unusually mobile for a stay at home Dman. He’ll take over a 3rd pairing and PK role.
Next season: Fabbro is pencilled in for the 3rd pairing and 2nd PK unit for the 24-25 edition of the Millers.
FOR trades S. Gostisbehere to GEO for I. Barbashev…
This season: Barbashev started out as the top line LW but struggled before finding a home on the 3rd line. He was not playing on any special teams unit though, only getting about 14 minutes a night at even strength. His lineup spot is likely to be taken by either Michael Rasmussen or Blake Coleman on the 4th line, with Andreas Athanasieau dropping to the 3rd line. Gostisbehere was brought in to help the PP and replace offense if Shea Theodore suffers another injury; he’s considered an upgrade over the aforementioned Bean as Theodore cover. He’ll likely to be on the 3rd pairing and 1st or 2nd PP.
Next season: Ghost will likely be on the 2nd pairing and 1st PP unit. With Theodore’s injury issues this NHL season his presence will be needed to drive offense from the back-end if Theodore is unavailable.
Projected Lines for rest of 23-24 season:
Compher-Laughton-Giroux
Larkin-McCann-Gourde
Copp-Athanasieu-Smith
Bjugstad-Goodrow-Coleman
Reserves: Rasmussen, O’Connor, Bastian
Miller-Theodore
Skjei-Ferraro
Ghostisbehere-Fabbro
Reserves: OEL, Bean, Walman, Kulak
Skinner
Allen
Projected 24-25 lines:
Larkin-Coleman-Giroux
Compher-McCann-Smith
Copp-Rasmussen-Gourde
Laughton-Goodrow-O’Connor
Reserves: Athanasieu, Guenther, Bastian
Miller-Theodore
Skjei-Ferraro
Fabbro-Gostisbehere
Reserves: Walman, Bean, Jiracek (M)
Skinner
Dostal/Allen
