To me, the issue of who they should have drafted is less relevant than the way the player's development was botched afterward.
hell-yes. And even there it's risky. But I cannot fathom the thinking on forcing some players into the NHL when they are simply overmatched. Bailey and Nino the two that stood out the most.
Even a RIPE Donovan and Nelson are hardly the players they'll be in a year or two. It takes what it takes but why waste the years and take a chance at ruining the confidence? I don't see the upside (except for ELC cap hit)
I remember saying last year that I would not expect Donovan to have a first season as effective as Hickey was last year. Because it's his first taste of the NHL. Reinhart and Pulock will likely NOT BE great players next year, assuming they BOTH make the Islanders out of camp.
AHL is good hockey. The concept of being a really good AHL player FIRST, should not be so foreign to teams or to fans.
Some can skip grades and still do well, like Doogie Howser. Most kids, need to go through the process.
And, I know it just a few months after the trade, but I'd love to be able to talk about CC and his role on the Island without the constant hand wringing about Nino (not taking a shot at you) or the unwelcome gloating by Minn fans.
CC is an interesting guy and I'm not more convinced then ever that he does have a role to play. I still would love to see a regular "bash brothers" line with Martin, Nelson, and CC.
well said. I also like the idea of Martin - Nelson - Clutterbuck though I'd like to spread that bashing around more. If all the Isles lines had some physical element, the team would be FAR BETTER. I remember Bossy, maybe Bourne, Tomas Jonsson and Persson and everyone else who simply would not lose a puck battle along the boards. That was the best team I've ever seen play.
Let me jump in here with the perspective of the Wild fans.
First, Clutterbuck was not going to be re-signed by the Wild. I don't believe there were any discussions to do so. Not because he didn't want to come back (he did), but the Wild didn't want him back. So anything we can get for a player that wasn't coming back is a plus.
Second, Clutterbuck will never be anything more than a 3rd or 4th line agitator. He can never be counted on to provide any offense outside of the occasional empty netter at the end of the game. I realize he has a history with JT, but that was in junior, and it was a lifetime ago. Apples and Oranges.
With Clutterbuck, what you see is what you get: A high energy player that finishes his checks (although he seems to be doing less and less of that these days). He's a great teammate, good in the community and can sport a great mustache. But don't look for him to contribute much of anything on the ice anymore.
Nino may or may not turn out to be a great player. But for the Wild to get a player with his potential AND get Matt Cooke for the same money that Clutterbuck was looking for (and there is no question that Cooke is a better player than Clutterbuck), I'd say most Wild fans would agree with me that this is a trade you make any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Peace.
agree with all this.
and for the Islanders, Clutterbuck addresses a team need and Nino's contribution, whatever it may have been, is better served by Brock Nelson (or Ryan Strome)
Both teams can "win" the trade.
I used to think Nino had serious holes in his game. At 19, he was simply awful in all aspects of the game and showed ZERO offensive ability. That was concerning. Then, although he had good offensive numbers in the AHL at 20, he was NOT the best player on that team either, not even close. Another red flag.
To then demand a trade, after the lockout, was misguided and rude. He'd earned NOTHING based on his play.
So I think Clutterbuck + 3rd, by that time, was more than "fair market value" for Niederreiter. Certainly more than what Filatov yielded, Peter Mueller.
I think there's a higher chance that Nino NEVER scores 19 goals, what Cluttebuck has already scored, unless it's in the KHL.
Maybe he puts it together and becomes a solid NHLer....maybe not.
If I were an opposing GM, I wouldn't give up much for Niederreiter. Why? Would you pay high for Magnus Pajaarvi today? he dwarfs Nino statistically.
He's the shiny new toy in Minny so you'll cheer for him, and that's great. We did the same for Grabner, Schremp, Tambellini - some work, some don't.
Between Granlund, Nino, Zucker and Coyle - maybe 1 or 2 become solid NHLers. Minny's a good team in spite of Nino.