Jacob
as seen on TV
- Feb 27, 2002
- 49,601
- 25,356
I have no issue with him on the 3rd line but I agree Hornqvist is on a downward slide, and is less likely to age gracefully, and if you’re gonna trade him you’re not gonna get an equal but younger player in return. It will be a step down in on-ice impact as a tradeoff. Problem is this deal might not even save us any money and we’re committed for 6 years to a guy that was getting scratched and played at forward this year. Huge risk.I don't think this necessary makes the team worse. I loved Hornqvist but if he is not playing in your top 6 or top PP which he wasn't for much of last year then he needed to go. Hornqvist is on the downside of his career and Matheson is in his prime and a good skating defenseman that can score goals. Matheson has his issues but has played 21+ minutes a night just a year ago and is pretty good in transition. I think he could work in our system with the right defense partner.
Definitely a risk but Hornqvist at his age wasn't bringing in anything better. Pens LD can be a big improvement with Dumoulin, Matheson, and Pettersson compared to last year's left side. I honestly don't think we lose anything on offense. Kapanen added to RW and Hornqvist gone from last year's roster. That is a net offensive improvement on the forward group and a net improvement on our defensive group with Matheson over JJ.
Now we’ve got a hole on the 3rd line and still need to do something with Johnson. And Matheson doesn’t really fill a need IMO, unless Johnson goes which seems less and less likely.