Again. Find my post complaining about giving up a 1st for Palms+ Zajac. You won't find it because I haven't made a post complaining about giving up a 1st for them.
1. I figured when Lee went down that the first would be moved.
2. Scouting services have been saying for a few yrs that the 2021 draft is a weak draft and 2022 strong.
My posts point out that I didn't consider the nyi a SC winner with or without Pags last season. I don't think the on the same talent level as TB/Colorado/Vegas this season.
The weak prospect pool should be a concern because quality,cost controlled prospects help keep a SC window open and can be used a trade assets.
Hoffman was one of the last big names to sign this past off-season. I think it was Friedman who reported the isles had been in on Hoffman,tried to free up cap space for him. A deeper prospect pool would have allowed Lou to attach sweeteners to dump unwanted contracts and sign Hoffman.
CREW,
You're reaching my man.
I get what you're saying, but I don't agree with it.
Pageau > Hoffman. You can see that, right?
Toronto, Edmonton, Colorado are 3 teams who pay dearly for the likes of JGP - it is the exact type of player those teams need.
You're looking at the talent on the page and overlooking the actual success on the ice. This team is currently a SC contender. Forget about how long the window is - stay present - their window is now. And in a couple of years when Bailey, Nelson, Eberle, are pushing their mid 30's then they may have to retool to extend their window.
And if they get past the Lightning somehow- they will be in the SC finals!
Pageau is a BIG reason for that - that and that alone is enough to say the Isles win that trade hands down - it no question.
Again, I understand that you feel signing him to a long-term contract (which to me was a no-brainer, since he was 27) makes you feel like it handcuffed the team to add more highly talented players, but who was available? Hoffman? I think everyone on this board would rather have JGP. Again, It may have prevented them from adding another top 6 and it may have cost them Toews, but that had more to do with the flat cap, because everything gets shutdown 2 weeks after the deal is made and Daly announces a. potential 85-88 million dollar cap.
And if not, then I think Lou would still have made the deal and contract.