Nuge is whatever the Oilers need him to be. Same with Draisaitl. Versatility is valuable. It’s not as black and white as ‘oh he’s a winger now’ or ‘oh that guy is a centre 100%’. Their position will fluctuate.
Because Nuge on McDavid’s wing is a hell of a player - we’re talking 35 goal, 75 point potential. I see Barrie as more of a Shattenkirk type - all the pluses, all the blunders - but Avs fans seem to want him valued as a legitimate #1, which I just don’t see. Most of his production surge came on the powerplay, and while that has value, I think we’d want someone better in his own zone and at even strength.
Nuge for Barrie a couple years ago - pre Hall trade - would have made sense. Not so anymore. We’re fresh out of trades to lose.
Trading Nuge for Barrie doesn’t plug a hole for us, it just changes the location around and suddenly an already thin forward group is downright anorexic.
1. If Barrie was valued as a true 1D we’re talking Draisaitl, not the 10th overall plus or RNH plus, those pieces don’t even sniff a 1D.
2. Larsson and Barrie couldn’t be more different, not sure how Barrie doesn’t make sense anymore. Edmonton managment couldn’t be more clear that they badly want a puck moving RHD, it’s their priority and it’s obvious to anybody who is paying attention.
3. This is definitely true, although it’s much easier to acquire a winger for McDavid than it is to aquire a 50-60 point dman. Pacioretty, Hoffman, Skinner, there’s lots of winger options available at all times throughout a season. JVR, Neal, and Kane are also free agents, this is the easiest position to fill.
Maybe we just won’t agree on this, I think the biggest problem is separating what Edmonton managment would do, and what ChaoticOrange would do. You wouldn’t deal for Barrie because it costs a lot, I respect that. I disagree lf you think Chiarelli wouldn’t trade RNH straight up for Barrie though, I don’t think he could say yes fast enough.
Also, for your information as you seem to be misinformed, Barrie was very prolific on the pp this year, but during his career he has done most of his damage 5V5. We’re talking absolutely elite 5V5 production, no dman you could realistically trade for are as prolific 5V5 as Barrie has been throughout his career.