Look, we're not trading Ehlers, so let's just put that discussion to rest. The guy has loads of talent and will be a superstar one day. He's just going through a bit of a funk right now, which isn't that uncommon for a young player.
He's in his 4th year. He is contributing to neither special teams, but is somehow a sacred cow.
I'd like to know how we get the LD we need. Nobody here is going to say that Niku is going to be a top 4 d-man in a shutdown role this year. His progression is slower than that.
Chiarot, Morrow, Kulikov? as your 2nd and 3rd pairing d? Trade Myers you lose an important PK part. And force Poolman in. Who hasn't shown he can play top 4, when injury besets.
If Kulikov were tradeable I'd suggest him.
I'll still say that Ehlers is a valuable asset, with a big cap hit (if he is worth 6 million, is Connor worth 7?)
Laine 9?). Getting winning pieces for him, would be something I consider.
Like I said we're behind Nashville and Colorado in d, and even with Minnesota. Centre we're middle of the pack. Lowry tips it in our favour a bit. If our wingers are the difference, I'd like to see it.
You put Lemieux in and the team got better. I want to see Ehlers make players better, and I don't think he can anymore.