Let’s think about all this for a moment. If we all know that Don has to do something don’t you think the other gms know this? Do you honestly think he doesn’t want to better this team? He has to be patient or we could have another Seguin fiasco on our hands. Do we want that? We have our best players signed to great deals we have to keep this going. Donnie will make a big deal. He will over pay if he has to (see Nash deal) But he won’t kill this team for this year,only to face a Tampa team that would be Real tough to beat even if we make trades. I have faith in him and we have no clue what is really going on behind the scenes.
Don Sweeney is one of the worst GMs in the league. I have mixed feelings about him making a significant deal. The team desperately needs one, they are not a couple of players away from contending, but they have no real impact prospects (see 2015 draft for more info on this) waiting either so now may be their best chance at a cup for the foreseeable future.
Also working against trading now is Sweeney, a terrible evaluator of pro talent who most likely will get taken to the cleaners by whomever he deals with.
The needs have been the same since July, a number 3 center and 2nd line RW. Sweeney's defenders kept saying dont block the kids, let them play, they all failed so far. Then it was he will fill the needs during the season, he hasn't. Now we are less than three weeks from the deadline and more excuses are coming in, dont deal too many prospects. Can't deal first round picks. Players who make this team better today and going forward are available, supposedly,.
If Stone is there you deal for him and if he costs you 8x10 you do it. He most likely gets 7x11 on the open market. A good GM finds a way to keep great players who produce and play two way hockey, see Bergeron. They tried once to create a great two way line with Loui Eriksson, it failed, time to try again with a bigger, not underrated, "quiet" star like Loui.
1st, Gryz, Heinen, Senyshyn for Stone. You are overpaying but solving your right wing for the next 5 years.
JFK, Donato,Zobril 2020 2ndfor Blake Coleman and Miles Wood
63-37-stone
74-46-88
Wood-Coleman-Backes
52-14-55