Since this thread is about AK and not DD, let us return to original retort of "people don't like DD because he scores 45-55 points, but want to acquire AK who has only scored 45-55 points in career".
Again, your comparison is a flawed one. You are comparing two players, playing two different positions, with two different roles in two different contexts.
You are wrong ,they have the same role to provide offense and the numbers show DD is better than 22-26 years old AK46 ever was, now a 31year old AK46 wont provide that middle 6 offense you think he will
1. The RW depth on the team is putrid. The centre depth on the Habs including Galchenyuk is quite strong. Acquiring AK would hold back no body, hence why people don't have a problem with him even if he scores 45-55 points like DD does. DD on the other hand, does hold back someone, Galchenyuk. So long as DD is on the team, there is no other place to put him but his current role or he won't be successful. That's a problem because that role should be given to Galchenyuk. And the LW depth or lack there of isn't an excuse. If you really want a player to be put in a position, you'll do what you can to make it happen. There have been more than enough depth options on the wings available to make it happen. This a lame excuse for status quo. In any event, this is one reason why the situations are not comparable despite the point totals being the same.
Yes the RW depth is bad but I think ,like Parenteau, 2015 AK46 isnt the solution and will block maybe a Sherback to contribute in the middle 6 rw or another youngster.Now for Galchenyuk you might disagree with the management but it seems like they see him ,for now or forever, as our 2nd best LW and putting him in the center without acquiring another good winger would create another big hole on the wing.I think it is a good excuse to keep Chucky on the wing until they ship DD+ in a big trade for a proven winger.
2. AK would be brought in for a depth role. Whether he will score 45-55 points or not is irrelevant to this discussion given what you're initial and failed retort implied. Yes, DD and AK are both in their careers 45-55 point players, that doesn't mean their comparable at all and that the complaints in one entail a contradiction. The issue has never been that DD scored 45-55 points. The issue has been that DD scores 45-55 points in the role that he is in: Go-to offensive centre, best linemates, top PP time, high o-zone starts. When you take all that into account, it's quite clear why people are unhappy with DD's 45-55 points, even more so when you take into account point 1. AK's 45-55 points on the other hand would be brought in to provide depth, a role wholly different than being the go-to offensive centre. Ideally he'd play a middle 6 role and therefore, those point totals are more tolerable. Whether he can do it or not is irrelevant because that wasn't the point of your original irrelevent comparison.
AK46 wont be sign for one and even if MB make this error, he wont produce more than Parenteau ever has. The AK46 cult here is fascinating to say the least.
.And btw dont be silly, all the bashing DD rightfully take is because he doesnt produce enough in his role like AK46 wasnt back then.AK46 wasnt a 200ft player and was dumb as a rock in the mid 2000s so the comparison is imo spot on.Outside of the 2 first line in MT system he would be useless and extremely mediocre on the top 2 lines.
3. At 1 year on a cheap deal, the Habs have no committment to AK. If they don't like him, they can make him ride the pine like they made PAP do for a good chunk at the end of last season and the POs. The whole AK will hold back young rookies is a false problem. If rookies will be held back it's because MT simply doesn't trust them. He isn't afraid to bench vets. The problem with MT and rookies has always been that he benches vets in favor of other vets. AK wouldn't make what is already occuring any worse.
Signing him is a commitment to play him in favorable situation to try to make the Gm looks good so yes,again, it will hold back our young guns and even 1 million is too much considering our cap status right now if we want to make a meaningful trade during the season. Kassian and one of our youngster are our"inside straight " chances solution for offence and AK46 is more a "Royal flush" chances of being useful
In sum, 45-55 points in a go-to offensive role, with top linemates, top pp time and high offensive situations in an important position with arguably better players is not at all the same as 45-55 points in a middle 6 position with little committment to the player. Whether he can do it is irrelevent as it was about the comparison between two players and the supposed contradiction.
They had the same role that is providing offense on the top 6 and didnt produce enough next to good players so a 31 year old inconsistant,dumb as a rock, 1 way player with character issue isnt the solution even in the middle 6 rw depth .I prefer Kassian, Weise and rookies in that spot before that guy.
The hypocrisy is stunning in this thread
