Almost done MacT....... Just need that big scoring left wing

So what are his options? Ufa options are plenty: Brendan Morrow: Why not? He still has a lot left in the tank. Morrow was almost a point per game player for Pittsburg after he was dealt there(15gp 6g 8a 14p). The guy has a veteran presence(34yrs old), great leadership skills(Stars captain since 2006), can hit, can score, has a good-old-small-town-Saskatchewan-boy work ethic, has the size and grit the oil need (6'0" 210lbs, 1222 career penalty mins). Maybe he would be a great fit here. Guillaume Latendresse:He is a big Left handed shot that has a pretty good scoring touch. He reminds me a bit of Raffi Torres. I think this guy could do a lot more offensively if put in the right situations. He has the size and grit necessary as well (6'2" 230lbs). Simon Gagne: This guy has been under-used in Los Angeles mainly because they were so deep and he has battled some injuries. He is a 7 time 20 goal scorer, a 4 time 30 goal score, and a 2 time 40 goal scorer. It would be pretty fun to have both of the Gagner/Gagne's, right? 6'1" 195lbs, not that tough but still hard to push around. Kind of like Penner. Damaged goods bargain price. Speaking of Penner: We all know what he brings to the team. Some may argue he is lacking toughness but we saw some grit from him this last post-season. I could be really optimistic if MacT wanted to bring him back. Damaged goods bargain price also. Alexei Ponikarovsky: Ya, he's a fixer upper. Huge though. 6'4" 225lbs, was an 18-23 goal scorer for 5 years in a row with the leafs. Hasn't been able to break 15 in the last three years. Has played for 5 different teams in that span. Definitely a damaged goods- bargain price. Then there is trade options. I keep hearing the Tomas Vanek rumours. What would Mac have to give up to get him. I imagine there isn't much of a better option out there. At what cost though. We already know MacT isn't going to let himself get froshed by these veteran GMs....so.... could this deal even happen? Could we get away with moving some spare parts to put together a package? Do they want Hemsky? Do they need a stay at home, veteran, left handed d-man? Who doesn't? We don't. lol We have an extra one. I imagine if forced to choose between Nick Schultz and Laddy Smid he would probably choose to deal Schultz and keep the younger guy that bleeds oiler blue. Unfortunately Smid is also the one most GMs would rather have. Either way...one of them needs a new home. Would Buffalo accept Hemsky, Smid or N.Schultz, and Paajarvi? Or would we need to throw in a 2nd rounder or prospect? Either way Mac needs to find a home for one of those d-men, deal Hemsky, find that big second line left winger, and get Gagner signed. I don't agree with much that Cloutier blogs about but for some reason I keep reading them. I do agree with him that bringing back Tom Gilbert for a third pairing right side guy would be a nice fit though. I guess we will see what he does. I've been pretty impressed so far, but the job isn't over yet. Gitterdun Mac!