He still looks like **** contrary to a few scoring chances last few games. It has been really maddening watching this guy play this year compared to past years. His play is a big reason why we suck so far, especially on the PK.
This team has a number of problems and reasons to why we aren't contending, but Matt Read is very far down the list.
He should get a 2nd and a prospect IMO.(not a top prospect or anything...someone like Leier)
Personally...if I could...I would trade him if I could. And here is why:
We are not contending for anything without a re-vamped D. We all know this. Just look at this year...great years from lots of guys...including Mason....but no results.
We are rarely in a "sell" position. We need to take advantage of it and sell what he can.
He is not part of the core 6 forwards(G, Jake, Simmer, Schenn, Couts and Laughton).
Then who knows if we can move Umberger and Vinny...sigh.
A winger to play on your 3rd line can be found in FA. Maybe not as good offensively...but a 30 point guy can be.
Yes he pk's...and in the past has been good. But we should also look to re-vamp our bottom 6....like adding a GREAT FO guy who can be on the 4th line. Add someone with SPEED to burn as well.
We need some fresh blood in here...and we know those top 6 guys are probably not moving so it has to come from the bottom 6.
I like Read...but it is more of where we are as a team for the reason to possibly move him. Or hell...if he can be used to bring in a better Dman to the team then do it.(as part of a package)
It's the coaches job to bench a player if he's hurting the team. Blaming Read for playing thru pain is unfair.
This team has a number of problems and reasons to why we aren't contending, but Matt Read is very far down the list.
He's not that far down the list. He has been bad this year.
What if the story was floated by the team to explain his bad year/increase his trade value?Always liked Reader, nice to get an explanation for what the heck happened with his game this season.
I too would not mind if he was moved. Injury or not, there have been way to many games where he has not been a factor at all. This team needs secondary scoring in a big way. The trade deadline should be interesting to say the least.