No insider has talked anything about other pieces. The way both Dreger and Friedman posted their info indicate no other pieces being involved. At least the other pieces were pretty much non-factors because they weren't specified (if there ever was any).
Exactly... This shouldn't be that difficult, to be honest.
Sure, he might have wanted more. I just doubt it because if the 8th overall wasn't enough, why it obviously was the hot topic there? I doubt 2nd round pick or similar was the dealbreaker there.
But I would be more careful when comparing Larsson and Fowler here. Devils weren't shopping Larsson - it was Edmonton who decided to shop Hall and asked every team their price - they were pretty determined to move a big name. Larsson ended up being the best value available. The market usually doesn't favor the seller on off-season.
Just to be curious, what you think would have been a sufficient + in addition to 8th overall?
And the 8th overall wasn't offered - it was the opposite. Teams weren't willing to move it. Friedman was pretty explicit about it:
Before Sabres added Kulikov they were in a pressing need for top-4 LHD. That was the leverage B.Murray had. Now that Sabres had acquired top-4 LHD, they don't have a pressing need (but likely would add another). I don't think there is any team in a need of top-4 LHD as much as Ducks are in a need of salary and cheap forward options.
The 8th overall pick wasn't moved because there wasn't any top-pairing LHDs available. No Fowler, No Kulikov.
First off, no insider has really ever had any solid information on the Ducks. ESPECIALLY Freidman and Dregger. They are clearly speculating. Like others have mentioned, our GM is about as tight lipped as they come. What they were doing is clearly speculating. They didn't talk about other pieces because from a pure value stand point; 8th or 9th overall straight up is probably close. However, like I already said, that clearly doesn't factor in our needs. They are just looking at who's available, and what Montreal and Buffalo are looking for. The fact that other pieces weren't specified means nothing. It's all spec. Stop trying to act like its otherwise.
It's not that difficult. You're just being arrogant because a few insiders, who NEVER have any info on the Ducks, are speculating a certain way. Never mind that they are ignoring team needs right? It's very plausible that what you're saying is right, but it's no where near concrete or certain like you're insinuating.
Why was the 8th the hot topic and not other pieces? Because all they're doing is speculating, and from a value stand point; Fowler for that pick doesn't seem too far off. Tim is ridiculously open with the media and, and flat out admitted to being open to move that pick for a young, top pairing, lhd. That's exactly what Fowler is, whether you want to admit it or not. The group of us who see 70+ games a year know Fowler was easily our #1 defenseman. Lindholm started taking that role the last third/quarter of the season and the playoffs, but over the course of the regular season; Fowler was easily our #1 defenseman most of the year. Bruce even said so as well. Throw out stats that don't factor in everything all you want, but those of us that actually watch the team religiously know. This is like the guy saying Silfverberg was just as effective to start the year as he was to finish it, because his fancy stats said so. Watching the gsmes > stats. That simple.
Believe what you want, but the Ducks aren't just trying to get rid of Fowler. If it was a pure salary cutting move; we'd trade Cogliano and Despres for picks. Fowler is available because he can bring back the forward Murray spoke about. If he was being shopped, he wouldn't still be here as there were clearly several offers for him at the draft.
I didn't want anything from Buffalo for Fowler. Even 8th +. Why? Because there was no realistic piece that could be had in addition to the 8th from Buffalo that makes us better now. I have long said that I'd only trade Fowler for an elite forward, because taking him away from our defense severely cripples it overall. Like it or not, our window is closing, so I'm of the mind to not trade Fowler unless too good of an offer comes up, that also makes us better. The only reason I'm okay with this is because of the expansion draft next year. If no deal came along, i would rather see Murray shed salary elsewhere, and move Fowler (or one of our other D) next year. The return may not be as great, but it's worth taking another shot at the cup imo.
You don't know if the 8th was offered or not. You're just assuming based off some clearly speculating comments by guys that don't cover the Ducks. That assumption is fine but the arrogance to dismiss the other opinions entirely is wrong. If you insist on doing that repeatedly, you should just leave our board.
Fowler isn't the only way the Ducks can shed salary or add cheap forwards. Not sure why you cant understand that...
Fowler is a top pairing defenseman. Not a true #1, but definitely a top pairing defenseman. You're welcome to stare at stats to convince you otherwise though. Never mind actually watching the majority of the games.