ON3M4N
Ignores/60 = Elite
Yes I agree, he's managed to string together a few solid showings in a row. I am still no convinced this is the great turnaround going forward that we all hope, but he's getting there. Let's suppose he ends up playing solid hockey with strong effort through the playoffs however long they last, what do you do with him? He isn't getting into the top 6 as it stands. Overpay him as a third liner that can be moved up if needed? Expose him to Seattle in hopes you can keep a D man? Trade him for a need in the summer?
You hold onto him unless you get an offer to make a clear upgrade to the team. He makes $3.6 million and I'm not sure I'd call that an overpay as a 3rd liner. We pay Coyle $5.25 million to be our 3C and we signed Smith at $3.1 million to be our 3RW. If DeBrusk can get back to being a 20+ goal guy, that's huge to have on your 3rd line and just give you more secondary scoring....something we've been screaming for now going on 5-6 years.