Agree it is all about the return. My only point is I don't take a step back. We cannot do that. Unless we have another deal lined up to add another top 9 forward, we cannot take a step back when we are this close. That would be crazy.
I have no issue with Atkinson. He can score goals and is a high energy player. Great fit on the 3rd line. Sounds like the Bruins lead for him though. Stewart would fit on the 3rd line also, and adds size for us.
The Zucc situation is playing out exactly like the Cally deal. Sather made both amazing offers. They decided to tell him to go f himself. Only difference is I don't think Sather needs to get a better player back for Zucc like he did with Callahan. I think he can get a solid player back and some pieces for the future.
Sather knows what he's doing. After years of frustration he did end up building a team that's competing for the cup. You cannot let one player hold he team hostage for damage the future.
Yep. Don't kid yourself. He knows he stole Hayes. He knows Duclair is close. He also knows that Buchnevich and Tambellini have take big steps forward. I think he would be comfortable plugging Zucc's spot with an older UFA on a one year deal if those three above couldn't make the team next year.
Where I disagree with you dump is I do think he needs to get a better player, or worst case a same level player, back for Zucc. Last I checked we are trying to win a cup this year, not get worse by dealing Zucc. Otherwise we might as well just trade him for a 1st round pick and look forward to next season.
I don't think winning the cup will do with losing Zucc's offense this year. I think it will have to do with crappy defense and not winning battles in the corners vs bigger teams.
I don't think we have a crappy D, so not sure where you are going on that one. I do think it would be wise to add a solid 3rd pair stay at home dman to play with Boyle (that is why I wanted Gleason, but a 4th was too much for lazy Sather). And I do think if we deal Zucc and don't get something at least equal back OR have a 2nd deal in place to add another forward, it can cost us a legit cup shot. The underlying theme, and reason I think you and I never agree on this stuff, is because I think we are better than you are. I see us as needing some depth to be right there with any team in the league to win a cup, which is all you can ask for. A bottom 6 forward added and a 3rd pair dman added. Away we go. You seem to think we are further away and/or think we are not a legit cup contender. Agree to disagree...
Our defense has been pretty crappy in a lot of games. Lundqvist has covered it up. The team has given up way too many scoring chances in many of the games. They also don't handle good forechecking teams well.
Chuck Zucc is not having that good of a season. He's being a bit overrated here. I'm not saying you don't look to get a forward back. It's just that I don't see Zucc as a cup difference maker.
They have had ups and downs, but I would take our top 4 on D over 98% of the teams in the NHL. I would expect them to play well as we go down the stretch here, and I am hopeful Hank will be back within 2 weeks or so, then away we go. The 3rd pair they should flip Moore and a mid pick and add a stay at home 3rd pair dman to play with Boyle. Then Hunwick will be the 7th dman, and we are all set back there.
Zucc was our leading scorer last season. He is on pace for 16 goals and 47 points this season. He was on maybe our best line last season AND is on our best line this season. He is well liked in the room. He is fiesty and gritty on the ice. NO WAY do I give him more than 4.5 or 4.6 per, but he is an important player here. I value all that stuff more than you guys do I guess. With that said at the same time you guys down play his role here or importance here, you also think we should get this big haul for him if we trade him as a pending UFA. Interesting...
Let's say they traded Zucc for Stewart and Foligno. Then Buffalo signs Zucc and overpays him. Is this a better team? Stewart-Brassard-Nash Hagelin-Stepan-St.Louis Kreider-Hayes-Miller Foligno-Moore-Fast/Stempniak
Right, and that proves my point. Adding Stewart AND Foligno makes us deeper which is what we need to get done here to be fully legit. With that said, of course Buffalo wouldn't do that deal because they are out of it and it makes very little sense to deal for a pending UFA who is very doubtful to stay in Buffalo (unless they have a set deal to flip Zucc before 3 PM tomorrow).
I think Zucc stays with Buffalo. They can offer him 5 years, close to 6 million and he'll do what most players do. Take the money.
I doubt he would sign there, but that's the point, they wouldn't know and therefore would be very doubtful to deal for a guy like Zucc and take the chance he may sign long term. Can't see it. Andy Strickland: Talks is still that the Sabres are looking for a 2nd round pick and high-end prospect for Chris Stewart.
I would do a 2nd rounder for Stewart and maybe a prospect on the McIlrath or Graves level. Obviously no shot I'd give them any of our top prospects with a 2nd.
I just threw him out there. Someone on that middle level with one of our 2nd's. That would be a real solid move for us. Doubt it happens though. Stewart will go to Boston or some other team.
