I certainly wouldn’t say everyone’s opinion changes.
Can’t imagine I’ll ever dislike Bergeron.
Can’t imagine I’ll ever like Heinen.
If you mean that over time people change their expectations of a player based on age/role, then probably.
Just because my opinion can change over time doesn't mean it will, again it depends on what information I have. For example I was never really a big fan of Krejci (although according to some I apparently love Krejci a secretly want him to replace Bergy), but the more I watched him, the more I looked at his numbers compared to his peers and the more I talked to people, my opinion changed.
Truth be told, I wanted to trade Krejci to ANH for Bobby Ryan when we had Seguin. I thought Krejci a meh #2C and was easily replaceable. Today I'd say Krejci is a excellent #2C (maybe a bit underrated too) and could be a #1C on some team in the NHL.
In fairness...at the time that deal would have definitely made sense.
So I guess we have to trade a defenseman to get a true top 6 forward.
What teams are in need?
First I think you have to answer "what d-man fetches a top 6 forward"
Krug is probably it, and I don't know if that is the right deal for the Bruins given what we've seen as offensive output from the rest of the D corps so far this season. McAvoy is still a work in progress, as is Grizz, Carlo won't be the guy to put up points on the blueline, Clifton is a big question mark. Chara, Kamp, Miller, Moore can't be relied on for any kind of meaningful, consistent offense.
First I think you have to answer "what d-man fetches a top 6 forward"
They’re going to need to go the package route, IMO.
Grizz, a guy in Providence and a pick....not a 1 though.
Pageau just had a hatty for Ottawa. Up to 11 goals and leads the league at a +19. Right shot. He is a free agent at season’s end. But might be a guy who can fill the need. More realistic option.
Always have felt that Pageau would be perfect for this team.Pageau just had a hatty for Ottawa. Up to 11 goals and leads the league at a +19. Right shot. He is a free agent at season’s end. But might be a guy who can fill the need. More realistic option.
Pageau just had a hatty for Ottawa. Up to 11 goals and leads the league at a +19. Right shot. He is a free agent at season’s end. But might be a guy who can fill the need. More realistic option.
Krug is probably it, and I don't know if that is the right deal for the Bruins given what we've seen as offensive output from the rest of the D corps so far this season. McAvoy is still a work in progress, as is Grizz, Carlo won't be the guy to put up points on the blueline, Clifton is a big question mark. Chara, Kamp, Miller, Moore can't be relied on for any kind of meaningful, consistent offense.
Kovalchuk has been shelved because he can’t contribute on the ice. Neither can Backes. Why trade one cap headache for another if you’re getting the same non-production?@Mr. Make-Believe - Also, why is this appealing to LA?
Backes isn't a 35+ contract so if they bought him out they wouldn't be on the hook for the full cap hit. Backes I'm sure is also a better locker room guy and if their going to doing a rebuild, you want that veteran leadership around. Kovy is known to be moody which affects him on and off the ice. Not sure why Backes would be interested in LA though, unless they promised him a bigger role than he has in Boston.
Problem with Krug is the teams looking to add him are also playoff contenders and so they'll probably be unwilling to move a top 6 forward for him.
Kovalchuk has been shelved because he can’t contribute on the ice. Neither can Backes. Why trade one cap headache for another if you’re getting the same non-production?
And not sure what you mean about being on the hook for the entire cap hit... Both players are under contract. $4M as opposed to $6M in a buyout next summer? The only hope for LA would be that Backes retires. At that point however, it would be more in the Bruins’ interest to keep Backes.
Kovalchuk (if dealt) will be done with salary retained for a minor asset (say a fifth) to a team who believes the risk is worth the new cap hit. That’s a deal that would make sense for them. Not this Backes nonsense.
That is true, and I am not advocating trading Krug or even what his market might be, just that out of our D as things currently stand, he is probably the only one (leaving McAvoy as surely a non-starter for the Bs) that could bring back that top 6 forward without significant adds.
Are there going to be any suitors lining up to take on half his salary for a year and a half given he was just basically exiled by one of the most wretched teams in the league? I mean, if they don't want him..Kovalchuk (if dealt) will be done with salary retained for a minor asset (say a fifth) to a team who believes the risk is worth the new cap hit. That’s a deal that would make sense for them. Not this Backes nonsense.
HOW DO YOU LEAD THE LEAGUE IN +\- ON THAT TEAM????????
Is he god?
I am guessing they don't do that based on past history, but Grizz is the last one I want to trade off that blueline were it to happen. Let's bundle up Zboril, a 2nd rounder, and John Moore and get a 50 point winger.