I was being facetious when I posted that.
But now that we’re on it, he’s struggled greatly after a very hot start on a team with the most prolific offence. So yes he had huge amount of potential but he’s not terribly good at actual defence yet.
he doesn't have to be if he can continue to improve his offensive game. He's got some very interesting tools, and certainly is looking like a top future top pairing D. You just don't trade that kind of talent imo.
Completley different set of circumstances lol
He compares well with Subban imo. Both from the OHL, skating, speed, strength, compact frames, big shots, ability to move the puck, questions about their defensive play at a young age.
To be fair we are also calling Shea Weber washed up and untradeable... we are all over the place here!!
It's very difficult to try and guess where his trade value is. 7.857,143 cap hit likely puts him out of range of many teams unless the Habs retain. Owed 30M over the next 8 years although just 6M in the final 4 years and one has to wonder if he wouldn't retire by then depending on how bad the foot injury is since he'll turn 33 this summer it's hard to say how much more abuse his body can take over the next several years.
He seems to put up 40-50+ pts each year but we don't know how much impact his foot injury will have on him as he's already one of the slower players that might get even slower. Teams may not want to risk that contract at least until they know where his game is at. To be honest I haven't really paid much attention to the reports on his injury other then I know it's his foot and he's not likely to play this season so I'm sure the Habs will at least get some kind of insurance money for his 12M salary he made to play 26 games.
