Vancouver can get veteran D help easily, there are plenty available, and they are usually pretty cheap too. For a development purpose, that won't be an issue at all.
It's just my opinion, but I think if things go well for Vancouver, they are four to five years away from being contenders again. At 33/34, Tanev is well outside the age group of the rest of the team, and at such a point, and his injury history, how much is left in the tank? I just don't think Tanev is part of the lineup, the next time Vancouver is a contender. Like you said, it could take quite some time tAo find a replacement, so you might as well get started now. D prospects are pretty unpredicatable, hell, Tanev wasn't even drafted. The more picks you make, the greater your chances of finding a gem D. Typically, half of the Norris finalists were selected outside of the first round.
That isn't to say that my valuation on a trade is right, or even wrong... what we say in here isn't relevant. I just think when you are rebuilding... which is what the Canucks should be doing, you move valuable older assets, for the future. Veteran leadership can be brought in, while valueable pieces can be moved out. At 29 this coming December, with ongoing injury issues, you have a depreciating asset trade value wise, at least that's been the trend.
Let me say this... it makes sense for the reasons I've mentioned above, for Vancouver to move him.
It makes sense for the Leafs, as a healthy Tanev is what the Leafs need.
What the trade value actually is... who cares, because even if we agreed, it doesn't make a trade happen... but the trade does make sense for both sides, whatever that cost is, that works for both management teams.
Yes, yes, I do get it. It does make sense for the leafs, and you are motivated by that.
Your argument, as I understand it, is that it also makes sense to the Canucks to accept your value for something the Leafs need, for these reasons:
1) Because that is what rebuilding teams do, they sell valuable assets for lottery tickets. The more you have, the more chance you have of finding something like what you sold
2) Veteran leadership and the hard minutes guys like Tanev can take on successfully can be had in free agency.
I disagree, for the following reasons:
On 1) It is not that the Canucks shouldn't move him and be significantly even worse (if that is even possible)... they just should not do it without achieving a value that works for the Canucks. If a team needs Tanev, and there are lots that could use him, it comes down to value. Receiving enough value and significant lottery tickets- sure, move him. If the value isn't of enough significance, then DON'T do it. He has significant value to the build process to this team, and to the team being watchable night to night. If the deal isn't right, sell him later for slightly less lottery tickets than you are offering- and that deal will be out there in two years at a deadline, IMO. No need to give him away now if the value isn't there! Therefore, these offers aren't something that "makes sense for the Canucks."
On 2) This is simply not true. His minutes and value to the Canucks can not be replaced in free agency, or Toronto and others would simply sign someone without giving up assets. The number of D who are available and can play these top paring defensive minutes successfully while sheltering and helping to grow the players around them is near zero. And then you get to ask, why would that player come to Vancouver, and at what term and cap hit. Loads of posters say this, "We can just sign someone to do that in free agency." Oh boy, if it was that easy.... It isn't. Therefore, these offers aren't something that "makes sense for the Canucks."
Sure, there is a deal to be done between the two, but the package would be have to be hurtful for Toronto to do it too. And it would make Vancouver a worse team in the near term, making it even more painful to watch games. In the end, Benning might screw this up and do something dumb, but he most certainly should not do the deals being suggested here without things being improved.
One thing is for certain, he is exactly what Toronto needs to take another step.
