Guentzel is likely the only high-end scoring forward Detroit is in on, because they have so many prospects, and that’s what Pittsburgh is after. If they don’t end up with him, it’ll be a Duclair, DeBrusk, Eberle type, or a pace changer like Brandon Tanev. Maybe someone like Zucker falls into that category. Or someone under contract, nobody expects, like Ryan Hartman.
If it’s Detroit, or anyone else for that matter, you’re not getting their Top prospects. They’re not giving you a recent 10th overall type prospect, who’s about to start his NHL career. Not for a UFA. It’ll be something along the lines of two recent 2nd Rounders, who Dubas won’t have to fully develop, who show an NHL trajectory still. So instead of spending 4-5 years hoping to develop draft picks, it’ll be closer to 2 years of actual development.
You’re likely looking at something like Shai Buium and Dylan James type prospects from Detroit. Maybe they get an Eemil Viro with a James or a Kilpinin.
It’s still going to be a crapshoot type of thing. Just a lot less of a crapshoot.. If this is where Detroit uses Berggren, then he wasn’t much in their plans, unless they fully intend to resign Guentzel, and are confident that happens.
The quality of prospects from anyone, would obviously go up, if you knew he was staying.
We see this every year on here. Fans always use the recent, known name, top prospects in their proposals. Then they spend half their deadline day, googling the prospects their team actually gets, quoting scouting reports, to finally deem it “a great trade.” They suddenly love the same prospects, they would’ve said “No” to someone proposing 3 days earlier. Happens every year..
Fact is, you lose half of your NHL hopes for prospects by the time they’re 21. Dubas is just trying to push his development process up by 2-3 years, with prospects who are still progressing towards the league after 20-21. Can’t blame him. Especially with such an empty system, and this upcoming draft not having much difference between 22nd overall, and 60th overall. A 1st round pick from Colorado this year, really isn’t much different than their 2nd round pick.
It’s much more realistic Pittsburgh ends up with prospects like Shai Buium and Dylan James. Two college kids who are starting to show how good they really can end up. Buium likely goes pro this spring/summer, James a year from now. Pens end up with two more quality kids in their funnel.
