This is all reasonable. I just disagree on the timing I think.
1. Who replaces Durzi? Spence? I'm high on the Spence train--but he still has development inc. What's the rush? He's a barely 21 first year pro--and while he's visibly playing the part (and stats back it out, he's stout defensively--I'm feeling really good about the Spurgeon comp at this point, maybe more!), why not let him develop a little bit more offensively? If he comes to the NHL he's suddenly PP2 and down the lineup and I think he's got more to give as a PP1/top pairing guy. Let him simmer one more year in the AHL. we know he's inbound.
2. I hate to give up on a guy with this much team spirit and intangibles when we've been looking for absolutely ever for that kind of heart. Think of the clutch moments he's already had.
3. This is a rookie with all sorts of flaws in his game suddenly thrust into the DREW DOUGHTY role that NO ONE can handle but guys like Makar--maybe it results in a 'trade high,' I personally think it's an absolutely amazing learning experience that will find him much, MUCH more effective as a #3, #5 than he's getting credit for. When an opponent isn't scouting him to attack him 28 minutes a game, and he can be sheltered by Drew et. al. instead of paired with other mediocre d-men, the guy could be a monster.
4. He has a dynamism to his game that makes the PP absolutely lethal--even when it's not producing it's causing havok and keeping momentum. I think that's one thing he's better at than Spence--Spence has it too but he's a little more shy about it than Durzi (personality, not nerves I think) and frankly plays a little simpler on the PP--not a bad thing in general but for our anemic PP having a cocky driver like Durzi is huge.
5. Re: the prospects, I think this forum is making a lot of 'straight-to-nhl' assumptions that I think could be a mistake. Personally, I kind of agree on Clarke, he's special and I think he's going to force some hands, but Faber straight to NHL would be a mistake, like spence, let him carve up his craft. And Walker/Roy will likely move left so there's space as depth before a trade.
I guess in short I think it's a mistake to hurrytrade one of these guys in the offseason JUST BECAUSE many of them exist. We saw this season that depth is a good problem and that opportunity exists. The right move has to come along. I'm not saying you're suggesting a panic trade, but a lot of people are acting like we HAVE to make a move NOW and I think trading for pennies on the dollar just because you CAN doesn't mean you should.
