Look at the date of this article : 31 Aug 2018, we traded Duchene to Columbus on Feb 22, 2019 so just a few months later
PROSPECT #1: VITALII ABRAMOV
Since acquired, Abramov scored 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 points in 92 AHL games (60 pts per 82 games)
I mean, it's pretty decent for a ~21 y/o prospect
What hurts him the most is his lack of defensive awareness IMO. But the rest of his game is surely NHL level.
If he doesn't pan out for us, that'd be only Thomson left from the Duchene fiasco
Did we get more for 30 y/o Brassard than both Duchene and Stone combined? lol
Bernard-Docker + Gustavsson vs Brannstrom + Thomson
But hold on... the 2nd round pick acquired in the Stone deal turned into... Egor Sokolov.
I don't know if tahat rumor is true that Abramov is really leaving NA (after all these years investing in NA hockey, 6+ years) when he is on the verge of making the NHL. He was considered the best or among the best Jackets prospects when we acquired him and it's not like he has regressed since then. Since last season, he has 25 goals and 60 pts in 74 AHL games. And he didn't look out of place at all in his NHL games. But if it's true, it's unfortunate, he should wait next training camp and worse case go through waivers or traded to get another chance elsewhere.
I didn't necessarily see a long term future in Ottawa for Balcers and Abramov but it's more that they havent't really been treated like assets, but more like random 7th round picks that didn't pan out. The first 2 were significant pieces in firesale trades (EK, Duchene), Wolanin was a 4th round pick but became an excellent prospect, Chlapik was a 2nd round pick (leaving out Jaros because we at least got a pick back for him, a lotto ball to replace himb by another "good prospect" like he was before) :
Balcers + Abramov + Wolanin + Chlapik for Amadio
Ouch. I mean, ok I think everybody understands that there's a limited number of spots and not everyone can play but I would have liked to see things play out differently
Could have just been Balcers and Chlapik on the 23-man NHL roster to start the season (instead of Anisimov/Galchenyuk/Paquette, Anisimov/Stepan and Gudbranson/Josh Brown)
That would have given them a fair chance to prove themselves and maybe build a bit of value. The goal in those cases should be either :
- get a draft pick, which resets the clock as you get a younger prospect
- get a depth player or even an overpaid player but who could help your NHL team now.
- get maybe a solid AHL player that will help your AHL team and other prospects?
- get a similar prospect/young player that could benefit from a change of scenery
Yes, we are filthy rich in terms of U-25 assets but it doesn't mean I wouldn't want my manager to carefully manage the assets