If you don't think we need a sexy, big-name RHD (which we don't) then we shouldn't have to trade Kadri to fill the hole there, which has been my point all along. Gardiner and a pick or something should be plenty to balance out our blueline a bit, and we're rolling from there.
I'm not looking to beat anybody into submission or anything here, Daisy, I'm simply providing as many facts and points as I possibly can to get my point across. Taking everything into consideration, including my own opinions as well as real, tangible facts, the needs we have at D just aren't as drastic or dire as many fans and media personalities are making them out to be.
I also never said you were objectively wrong, but that the suggestion that the Leafs' head office hasn't been addressing our issues at D was objectively wrong - which it is.
but i think you're missing what my main point is.
i mean i acknowledged yours. (or i tried)
you argued that we don't have to trade Kadri that we can trade jake instead. which, i've agreed with because I personally wouldn't re-sign him the problem with trading Jake is, is that I don't think you'll get a big haul for him. it might be for the most part a one for one. if it's Myers or Spurgeon it will have to be a kind of a deal like when Turris went to NSH. (and if that happens. kay great that's an aspect).
My main point is (and I really have no horse in this like if we keep Kadri that's fine, I don't care, same with Nylander) but the argument isn't (or shouldn't) be like Nylander for Defenseman. (and then it ends) or ditto Kadri for defenseman (and it ends).. the argument is is that you get more value back if you trade them. (i'd argue Kadri much more simply due to his cap hit and what he provides). Hey, team that has a lot of defense, prospects and picks. how would you like to have a player that's capable of being your #1 centre at 4.5m for 4 more years? Especially if they are age appropriate. they can still
1: grow with the team. (just like we all want)
2: it still fits in with being a smart, intelligent, puck moving/possession team. (which is the vision)
3: if you get a better defenseman. I don't care if it's right handed or left handed -but it allows for A: better slotting of what we have
now, and B: when the others (Lily, Sandin, Durzi whomever, whomever)
if they make the team, can slot in just as well.
This also allows Nylander to move to the centre. You argued that this is too expensive and removes a high calibre winger from Matty. which. true. (I've always been team Matty/Will to be fair, and now that we have Tavares, the only way I see Nylander getting any centre development time is if they double shift him on the 4th line. which would be soooo not fair to others). but I think that might be something that comes up during contract talks.(where do we see you, how do we accommodate your needs etc etc).
i think those are very valid options too. it doesn't take away with what is coming,, (and taking the time/patience of waiting for the others to come up, if they come up)
I do think it's good for Dubas to be all "nothing to see here, we're fine." (a: to instil trust into the team, B: because as we both pointed out - they do have good team statistics) but there are some causes for concern because as the last few months showed down the the stretch there were issues for concern that don't show up in GAA/PK.
and. while I do think (because contary to belief lol i am v. patient in seeing this through i just feel that making big trades when opportunities show themselves (aka Poile!) is a good thing too) - a lot of issues can be sorted out just by a little bit more time and seeing what comes up, i also do think while we have the set up we have now, you need to make some hay to maximize the ELCS/really great 2nd-contracts/deals we had. Lou failed in this. Dubas did do a great correction again, by bringing in Tavares because it does slot a 1st line calibre centre on the 3rd line with speedy wingers. (which. not fair). but if we don't shore up up some of the deficits that advantage will be wasted. We'll still have a great team down the road (i never doubted that). but we would have wasted some real key growth too.
i just feel we need to be open for
every possibility. that's what I have faith in management. that they won't shut the door because it features nylander or kadri - but that they can see moves that we can't, and also to the possibilities that not every answer to our problems lies within Ricoh. - this is where we disagree though (if i read everything right)
i do apologise though for being short.
summer = crabby daisy. (this should just be a given for everyone. if i am mean, it's because it's too damned hot)