A lot of “star-caliber” players complain when they aren’t playing on a top line, but he’s taking the path toward being a team player and improving the second line…what’s wrong with that? I’d say find him a center and see what he can do.

As I write that, I can’t help but think of Alex Semin with sadness (although he’s played pretty well under Hunter despite playing with Perreault and Chimera).

In a couple of years at most, they won’t have the option not to. Selanne and Koivu are gone inside three years at most, and that’s generous. They’re gonne have to do SOMETHING. I suppose Pelly could fit too if he develops well in that span, but if he doesn’t, what do they even have for second-line options? They’re really thin at forward. They’ve got some great ones, but when you factor in that three of their better ones are well over 35, it’s not a great picture, you know?