Depends on what you’re paying him and for how long.
I think it’s making the same mistake that we make over and over again. Lindholm isn’t a #1C anymore. You’re paying a guy to play above his skill level and hoping he “fits”.
Then if a true One becomes available, you’re seriously handcuffing your ability to acquire him by committing $8M to a guy now slated to play second line.
“Well how do you expect Sweeney to do anything? He doesn’t have any cap space!” The excuses write themselves on repeat at this point.
I understand that perspective.
My only counter is that I’d estimate that at least 70% of teams don’t have a first line where every single player would be a first liner on every team.
(If that makes any sense)
So sometimes it’s more about fit, how each player or line effects the rest of the team, and who is available when.
In this case, Pasta is a no doubt first liner for at least 95% of teams.
Zacha, probably 60% and Lindholm, probably 70%. But together they could be dynamic.
I keep coming back to the Trochek situation. So many people said he’d get overpaid and would bust, but I believe 100% if they signed him, we’d have watched a game 7 last night.
