I don't think we should be penciling Bigras or Siemens into our future defense core just yet. At this point there mid level b prospects and I'd say that's even being generous for Siemens. We did the same thing with Elliott at one point and look how that turned out. Even Barrie although gifted offensively will always be struggling in his own end. Bigras looks to be solid but let's not forget he's playing his final year of junior hockey realistically he should be dominating. Christ we had two WHL defencemen of the year winners in Barrie and Elliott and looked how they turned out. It's not like Bigras is the best defencman in the OHL right now I'd say as a prospect his value is a little higher than Elliott's was at the same age but probably right around the same level of a prospect Barrie was at the same age.
I think B level prospect is a little bit harsh to describe either guy, I think they are solid prospects but they both still have a long ways to go before they have a significant impact (top 4 or better) on our team.
Your point is well made though and one I've been trying to convey to a lot of people that assume because a player is picked in the 1st round, it's just a 'given' that he slots into the lineup sooner rather than later...when it's actually later or maybe never rather than sooner.
The Elliott example is an awesome one especially when you look back at 2-3 years ago, the way
some fans here were hyping him up and scoffing at other teams trade proposals for him. Think back to THAT when you start scoffing at the fact that someone may not think that Siemens or Bigras will have a huge impact on our backend.
I would say, as of now, Giordano is solidly not available for trade. I think if they traded him right now it would rip that team apart. That ship has sailed.
For right now, you're probably right but in the near future, after the Flames go through a tough stretch or maybe they find themselves completely out of playoff contention, with the kind of season he has going this year AND his age, there will NEVER be a better time to get the most value back for him. I believe if they DON'T entertain trading him, they are doing themselves a huge, huge disservice for the future of that franchise. They held on to Iginla way too long and the same with Kiprusoff. At some point, they need to recognize where they are at and where they are headed.
Why is it a big leap of faith that Sekera resigns with us? As Bender said earlier, do you know him personally and know of his desires in the league? Joe and Patty could easily sit down with Sekera long before a trade happens, find out what kind of contract he's hoping for next summer, find out where he wants to play, and find out if he has any interest in being with the Avs for 5-6 years. You're the one making huge assumptions to think that this wouldn't happen, when so many trades in the NHL happen with these circumstances occuring before hand. Again, only looking at the negatives that are far less likely to happen.
I also continue to laugh at the notion that the Avs are significantly far off Chicago or Minnesota. Defensively yes we are. But that's it. We've gota better offense then Minnesota, and an offense that could be better then Chicago's within a year or two. As for experience, we've certainly got more experience then Minnesota. Briere, Stuart, Iggy, Talbot, Mitchell. They've all played in this league for a while, and especially the first 4 have a lot of experience with high pressure playoff hockey. That's a lot more then Minny, and its pretty much the same as CHI and LAK.
Defensively, yes we are way behind those teams. We've got 1 Top 2 Dman in EJ, and 1 Top 4 Dman in Barrie. Maybe another Top 4 Dman in Hejda, but he's ideally a bottom pairing guy on a cup contending Defense at this point. The addition of a top pairing guy like Sekera, or Yandle, or anyone else available doesn't 100% fix our defense, but it certainly does a lot. Not only does it give us that 2nd Top 2 Dman, but more importantly it gives EJ a good partner(Something he has never had in the NHL at this point), and it allows Hejda to move down to the 2nd pairing where he can play easier minutes. And it moves Holden off the 2nd pairing so he can play more suitable minutes.
Despite what you think, this team IS only 1-2 pieces and another year or two of development away from being a contender. We've got the Elite #1G in Varly. We've got the #1 Dman in EJ, we've got TWO #1C's in Duchene and Mackinnon. And we've got a #1 Winger in Landy. The forward depth is there too. Talbot, Mitchell, McGinn, McCleod.
Well, I don’t know if they could ‘easily’ discuss an extension because that’s something that needs to be agreed to with the team they’d be trading with but definitely it’s doable. The agent would have no advantage in lying to the Avs, since that would just damage future relationships with future and existing clients. So if they are dead set on UFA – July 1st, the Avs would know it and would balk at a trade in that case.
I don’t think we’re as close as you’re making it sound though. I think we get there eventually as long as the right moves are actually made. There will be a HUGE gap between MacKinnon right now at 19 yrs of age and say, MacKinnon at age 21. It won’t be close to what we’re seeing right now, in my opinion and that will certainly play to our strengths because other teams will need to defend both Duchene and Mack and it will be a lot harder than it is right now.
@JoeyAvs - To suggest we shouldn't make a trade to acquire a top-4 guy like Sekera (NOT AS A PURE RENTAL, if you're actually reading this) because we aren't close to being a contender as you mentioned, is like saying we shouldn't have made the Varly trade or the EJ trade. We weren't close to being a contender back then either. You need to get the assets to fill in the holes
when they are available because those windows to acquire those kinds of players tend to close in a hurry and then what are you left with? Fayne and Nikitin? Borderline top-4 guys (not top-4 on GOOD teams)
I don't believe we are nearly as far off as you believe. We really need a #2 and a #3 to solidify our D (not saying it's all going to happen THIS season or next off-season but
it NEEDS to happen soon*) and I believe we also need a top-6 playmaking winger to go with either of our shoot-first centers in Duchene and MacKinnon. Then the rest is a lot of fluff. You generally don't win or lose playoff series by who your 3rd line center is, however, having a great on can certainly help immensely.
*Why does it need to happen soon, you may ask? Because the last thing management wants is to give the impression that they are sitting on their hands and content seeing the team struggle with a defense that just can't cut it. That's when you'll actually start seeing some of the core guys wondering if this is the place they really should be long-term, if they want to win. Yeah, I'm talking about Erik Johnson specifically but it could also apply to others as well. (McGinn, Barrie) I mean, EJ has been with this club for what...4 years now and the best partner they've been able to dig up is Jan Hejda? Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty happy with what Hejda's been able to do, since he's been put in that position but that's a lot to ask of him as well. I realize that it's likely been a blessing in disguise and it's actually ALLOWED EJ to become the d-man he is today but throw the guy a frikkin' bone. He definitely needs an Giordano, Alzner or Sekera (in order of preference) to play along side him.
**For the record, I'm only debating this with you because I believe that fundamentally, what you are saying is incorrect. I believe that moving forward, to improve the club, something like this is going to have to happen to acquire what we've been missing. Would I prefer if the Canes accepted one of our prospects + a 2nd round pick? For sure! But somehow I doubt that would be enough.
My PERSONAL preference is that the Avs keep their 1st round pick for 2015. (I've already got my personal favourite as to who they should target, but it will likely take a top 10 pick to get him.) However, personal preference aside, I will certainly understand if they do make the kind of trade that has been suggested for a guy like Sekera. Hell, they should do what it takes to acquire BOTH Sekera AND Giordano...then we'll see what's what.
