PensandCaps
Beddy Tlueger
- May 22, 2015
- 27,611
- 17,951
I'd rather have the 30 point Schultz who was good defensively.
How many games does he need with the same guys before we say that that isn't working? Because at a certain point, even that starts to stop being an excuse. Bottom line is that he's had stable linemates for a couple games here and there, but after the line did sweat **** all for a few games, things got changed.
As for his role and fit... this was one of the reasons I didn't want Brassard last spring, but wanted us to go after a rental in Pleks (or someone like that) and just role with Sheahan/Pleks as our 3/4Cs.
Then we got him after Rutherford decided to go full overkill. Fine, not the end of the world. But even last spring before he get hurt, the fit with Kessel was awkward at best. This year it's just been bad vs awkward, and I put a lot of that blame on Brassard himself and the game he's currently playing.
Yeah, I am with you on all of this. I do think there are landing spots for Brassard, there are teams that have multiple 3C caliber players, and need an offensive 2C. Finding one we'd be ok helping out, and with a player that we can make work with our cap is the challenge.
I'd always thought Montreal was a natural landing spot for Brass, and them hanging around that 8th spot can only help our cause. There will be a lot of pressure for Bergevin to make a move, and there should be some desire to do it well before the deadline.
The issue is finding a team that is willing to give up a decent player off their roster for him, and then finding a team that is willing to give up the right player. And while Montreal could use him... I'm not so sure they'd be willing to give up Danault, who is their go to guy down the middle. He's averaging ~20 FOs a game. Kotkaniemi, the next highest is averaging ~10 a game. Peca is their #3 in FOs, and he's only averaging 5/6 a game. And while Brassard would help a lot there, I doubt it would be at the expense of Danault. Which means we're now talking futures. Not the end of the world, but it then means finding a team that wants those futures for a C we want.
Realistically if we're talking Brassard to Montreal, we're likely looking at Peca coming back as the main player. As someone who wanted us to sign him this summer, that doesn't really bother me. The issue is what is the + and does that make sense for us. And unless it's one hell of a +, I don't think it does.
I’m not really saying I don’t want Schultz on the team. Just his play is that of a #3-4 which 5.5 for what he brings (generally mostly ES play) is a slight overpayment.
The issue is finding a team that is willing to give up a decent player off their roster for him, and then finding a team that is willing to give up the right player. And while Montreal could use him... I'm not so sure they'd be willing to give up Danault, who is their go to guy down the middle. He's averaging ~20 FOs a game. Kotkaniemi, the next highest is averaging ~10 a game. Peca is their #3 in FOs, and he's only averaging 5/6 a game. And while Brassard would help a lot there, I doubt it would be at the expense of Danault. Which means we're now talking futures. Not the end of the world, but it then means finding a team that wants those futures for a C we want.
Realistically if we're talking Brassard to Montreal, we're likely looking at Peca coming back as the main player (likely the only C Montreal would be willing to give up that's an NHL player). As someone who wanted us to sign him this summer, that doesn't really bother me. The issue is what is the + and does that make sense for us. And unless it's one hell of a +, I don't think it does.
Last year he was basically Olli Maatta minus the PK ability and with the PP ability that means 5.5 is an overpayment no?
Most good rentals cost a first, or a couple picks and/or a prospect...I really don’t see a contending team who’s interested in getting Brass to help them improve offering us a roster player that’s any good, especially one with term...maybe another rental who they’re not planning to re-sign...but I doubt it...that’s why Brass should stay until and unless it’s clear we won’t be making the POs
Who skates better, moves the puck better, and can fill in for Letang on top PP and ES in a pinch. I'd love more offense from him, but he is far from my concern on the blueline.
Honestly, it's the same argument you make with Brassard being a 3C. How much production can you expect from Schultz playing second pairing minutes, not consistent top PP time, and not always with Sid?
Obviously Brass only makes $3MM so he can't be overpaid, but you get the idea.
It depends on what you can get in return. I generally agree with your premise though but trading Brassard is a tricky proposition. His value has taken a hit and I can't see too many scenarios where by we'd garner fair/good value in moving him. Maybe in a package with one of our defensemen say OM, maybe in that scenario we could extract enough value to pursue a trade. If you move OM it might clear a path for Riikola to play as well. Again it's all about the return.The issue then arises that Brassard hasn't been very good with us. We've tried him with Kessel and with Guentzel (even together a little), and the results for the most part were not good at all. I think at this point you stick him with Malkin and figure out who's the C/W and just hope for the best... but bottom line is we either need him playing a lot better, or we need to bring in someone else.
It depends on what you can get in return. I generally agree with your premise though but trading Brassard is a tricky proposition. His value has taken a hit and I can't see too many scenarios where by we'd garner fair/good value in moving him. Maybe in a package with one of our defensemen say OM, maybe in that scenario we could extract enough value to pursue a trade. If you move OM it might clear a path for Riikola to play as well. Again it's all about the return.
The issue then arises that Brassard hasn't been very good with us. We've tried him with Kessel and with Guentzel (even together a little), and the results for the most part were not good at all. I think at this point you stick him with Malkin and figure out who's the C/W and just hope for the best... but bottom line is we either need him playing a lot better, or we need to bring in someone else.
Hunwick was looking like a solid #5 (or poor man's #4) for a guy we thought would be a #6 at best, that concussion he got, he just never looked right after he came back. I remember because I hated that signing and was surprised how good he looked. Then he got hurt and never found his game again.Hunwick was not our 2nd or 3rd best defenseman before his injury.
Maatta and Schultz had a great start to the year and Letang was Letang.
Who skates better, moves the puck better, and can fill in for Letang on top PP and ES in a pinch. I'd love more offense from him, but he is far from my concern on the blueline.
Honestly, it's the same argument you make with Brassard being a 3C. How much production can you expect from Schultz playing second pairing minutes, not consistent top PP time, and not always with Sid?
Obviously Brass only makes $3MM so he can't be overpaid, but you get the idea.
I don't know if Brassard needs to be traded, I just know that he's not working as the 3C here. I'd rather see him tried with Malkin and ZAR-Sheahan-Kessel as the 3rd line, but I'm not sure if you have the top-9 spot to go with that. For now, maybe something like Pearson-Malkin-Brassard as the 2nd line?
I haven't been able to watch closely, but has Brass played a ton for us at RW?
Just seems his value for us is being a decent LW. Heck maybe he fits better with Sheahan as the pivot?
When he's played with Crosby, it was Guentzel on RW.
I had suggested that early on in the season if only because Brassard should have the ability to transition into a better winger then Sheahan. Perhaps it's something that would be more acceptable today given how poorly he's played - but it was a very unpopular opinion 2 months ago.
Schultz wouldn't be making 5.5m if he'd put up 35 points in his contract season instead of 50, so he's a little overpaid, but its not a huge amount north and pretty much all UFAs are overpaid by a little by the standards of the league. And if he were to start putting up 40 points, then things would be pretty fair.
Schultz may not get back into high level game shape this season. That was a nasty break.
We have to upgrade the D or we aren't winning squat.That's my biggest concern, and why I think moving Maatta would be a mistake - unless you're getting a really good D back.