brian_griffin
"Eric Cartman?"
1st bold Hunwick should either be bought out or trade-dumped in the offseason, waived to Roch after camp, or only planned on being a #8 depth for BUF if he's up all year. He should not be counted in a plan to be the 1st replacement on the left side.Not a fan of Nate's agent asking for playing time in the Associated Press. Kind of thing that could cause resentment among the other defensemen who are competing for minutes. It is also second guessing the coach and dictating to the GM.
Dahlin & Pilut will be around next year for less money combined than 3rd pairing Nate is making currently. Nate wouldn't be in line to replace Bogo on the right side in 20/21 either & Risto seems entrenched in the top 4.
Really can't see any leverage this agent thinks he has, healthy Hunwick & Nelson are signed through next season and could split time with Marco & McCabe. Some random Amerk could be ready as well.
Interested in how his teammates react to this, would they confront Nate directly who he should replace? Would they brood about it? What about the other 20 players in the system who are in contract years, should they all demand playing time?
Waive him. If 1% of my perception is 1% true, Nate isn't worth bothering about.
2nd bold Even if he's a malcontent, make the guy play out his contract.
Why waive an NHL caliber depth d-man without attempting to get a pick or player in trade?
Bitching about playing time is so high-school (or I guess NFL, too).
Only way it could make sense is if there was a possible trade (unknown to most or all of the rest of the clubs) which fell through because Botterill or his counterpart wanted more / better assets, and the agent wants other GMs to know. It's a lazy way to try to gain leverage he (agent / Beaulieu) really lack regardless.Doesn't really seem unreasonable to me. I'm sure like any player, he wants the opportunity to showcase himself in a contract year. Has his future to think about here... especially since he's been pretty decent this year all things considered.
That being said, whoever blabbed to the media is a jerk.