Exactly, we also can grab that kind of player on waivers or trades all day long, all season long. We sign those kind of guys frequently. We have a few in the pipeline. I'm just not really sure what the end goal was with the whole trade.
And this team had largely no prospects to speak of, you gotta start somewhere.
Who in the system mimics Koivunen?
No, Ponomarev. Koivunen I grant is most interesting piece of the deal. But I'm just not sure why we are concerned with guys like Ponomarev.
Very simple, to start the process of turning the page. What, you think we're gonna get the next Bedard for A soon to be UFA?
Because they're younger and it signals a change to investing time in young guys. Like trading Ruhwedel and bringing up St. Ivany.
The guy plays in California.
So again, you're already concluding these prospects are busts. I guess if they're not Sure fire can't miss guys you're not interested. That's just not being realistic for even a high end UFA.
No, you draft those, of course. But that's why you go for picks because although picking in the top 5 is a surer way of getting a very good player, you can find gems throughout the 1st or gain capital to move up at the draft.
We may end up with a 1st anyhow. But considering this draft class I'd prefer Koivunen, he'll likely be ready sooner than some 18 yr old 31st OA pick.
We might trade pieces this Summer. Again Dubas hasnt had the job even a year yet, he's gonna need time. He's trying to appease the Core , management and the fan base all at the same time. The previous GM put this team behind the 8 ball. This is a long term endeavor.
Why is it weird? This process will take time, if you're holding out hope this aging core has one more good run in them you're gonna be very disappointed.
Ok, then do tell.
That package to me kinda suggests that Dubas wants flexibility. If he brings in a bunch of prospects he gets to keep some of them for the future while presumably trading other prospects for win now help.
If the '23 draft and the Jake trade is any indication I'd be optimistic for the long term future.
Taking a swing with EK made sense, it didn't work, now he's pivoting. He wanted to give the core a chance, he was new, made sense. Since it failed he can now put his stamp on the team after catering to the core one final time. Not sure it's all that difficult to understand. His recent moves suggest he'll be heavily reliant on youth moving forward.
