Oh boy, where to begin with this...
So if you're Arizona, why would you deal your #1 dman, a #1 & a #2 draft pick, plus a 1st line centre, for a still slightly unproven #1 centre in RNH and a bunch of garbage (Ference & Arco).
There have already been rumors that Yandle is available, and he's not the Yandle of 3 or 4 years ago, but he's still a good blueliner who can QB a powerplay.
The Coyotes have never had a legitimate top line center with an offensive IQ like RNH. Right now Vermette, who would be a 2nd line center on most teams, is anchoring their first line, in 12 seasons he is a career 42.5 ppg player. The Nuge is 11 years younger than Vermette, he scores at a 58.7 ppg pace. Vermette is also UFA, hence the 1st round pick. Besides, I have a feeling that plenty of GM's would give up a 1st round pick for RNH. No Lateral Moves MacTavish just wants more in terms of player return.
Ference is a veteran shutdown guy, Edmonton thought he was more than that when they signed him. Outside of Yandle and Michalek, the Coyotes have a young blueline, some of them would benefit from having a guy like Ference on the
3rd pairing. I don't think Ference is garbage, just not close to as good as the Oilers thought when they signed him, so part ways now.
Arcobello has some upside, he's a bit small, but he has heart and could turn into a decent bottom-6 center in time.
No way you get Hossa for Yak & a 2nd. Why would Chicago do that?
Because they are going to be cap strapped this off-season. $8 million in cap space to sign 9 players (if they carry a 23 man roster). One of those players is Saad, who is going to be due a big raise. Saad is pacing Hossa for points, is 13 years younger, and can be signed to a shorter term deal that probably pays $1M less per season.
Yak was a 1st overall pick for a reason. He has an amazing skill set, but nobody has shown him how to use it. He's never going to mature in Edmonton, that ship sailed when they kept him up last year with absolutely zero veterans to mentor him. Stick him in a lineup with Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Sharp, and Versteeg, the guy has a chance. You throw in the 2nd because it's Hossa. And also because of their top forwards, only Hossa lacks a No-Trade-Clause and can't rule out a trade to Edmonton.
Ottawa proposal is same thing.
Why part with Anderson? Because you can get a RW'er who is ranked in the top 15 (as high as 8th depending on source) at his position, one who is locked up to term, and only 24 years old. You also let Bishop go because you believe in Robin Lehner, who is closer and closer to sharing the job outright with Anderson. Anderson is on his way out of Ottawa in the next year or so. I guess getting the 10th ranked RW'er in the league isn't worth a 1st round pick and a $4 million soon-to-be backup goalie to you.
Maybe adding in Neil is too much though.
If I'm Arizona, and would consider moving Yandle and Vermette, I'd want one of Hall or RNH, maybe Schultz or Nurse, + + +
That's if you are as short-sighted as the Oilers management has been for the last 15 years. Vermette is NOT a 1st line center. But it's a safe bet it will cost close to $5 million to keep him. And Yandle has apparently been shopped already.
So, you won't give up a 32 year old 2nd line UFA center + a slightly over-priced defensemen who is declining a bit, + a 1st round pick that is 1.5 years away + a 2nd round pick? When you could get a 1st line center who is only 21 years old + a 3rd pairing defensemen who knows how to play tough defense (when assigned that role) + a depth center who could end up being a decent 2-way pivot.
Ok, maybe drop the 2nd rounder?
If I'm Chicago, I wouldn't trade Hossa. He's a big part of their team. A big, veteran 30+ goal scorer, that plays with some grit. You don't just give up on those guys. Not while your team is a perennial Cup contender. And you certainly don't trade him for a potential draft bust and a 2nd round pick.
You do if you have to stay under the salary cap and other big ticket players hold NTC's. You do if you look and see that he's 35 years old, has started to trend down in production, and some of your current players are ready to step into the role he will vacate. You do if you can get back a raw talent that is 14 years younger and has the potential to be a prolific scoring threat with some guidance. It's a numbers game with Hossa at this point in his career.
I like the passion of Oilers fans, but they have to approach these things from the other teams perspective. Sure, they look good with Oilers glasses on, but every fan over rates their players. Also remember that other GM's know the Oilers are in need, so you bend them over as much as possible.
LOL. I'm most definitely NOT an Oilers fan. Can't stand them actually, and I would love nothing more than to see them suck in perpetuity, which they will do if they keep this group together. But, I got into this discussion with someone else, so I actually approached this from both team's perspectives.
I actually think that Ottawa becomes a better team by adding Eberle. Losing Anderson hurts for a season, the current group isn't going to do much next year either, and Eberle is a hell of a lot better than anything they are going to get in free agency.
I think Phoenix starts on a much better path with a top-2 punch down the middle of RNH and Hanzal, instead of Vermette and Hanzal. They also don't miss Yandle as much as some think. As the GM of the Coyotes I would have to consider that Vermette is not guaranteed to re-sign here, and since this whole scenario takes place around draft time, I might really only be giving up Vermette's rights (which I lose in a couple weeks anyhow) and a future 1st in exchange for Nugent-Hopkins. So when they ask for Yandle and are giving me back Ference, a guy who will be a decent addition in the bottom-3, it doesn't hurt so much at all.
If I'm Steve Bowman, I am loathe to part with Hossa, but I know that if I keep him, I have to let a younger player go, one who I don't want to cut loose. I would prefer to trade Sharp, but dealing with his NTC could be problematic since he's quite happy to be a Blackhawk. I see real potential in Yakupov, and who knows what my scouts can do with that 2nd round pick.....that Duncan Keith guy who carries by blueline was a 2nd round pick after all.
), then he should be sent to a team that will play him to his strengths.
