My error then. I assumed that since Kadri was one of those individuals singled out by Babs; in addition to Bozak and JVR; that they be moving their #4 center over there 3C. Plus the fact that moving Kadri gives them more contract flexibility than does moving Bozak. I read that with Marleau, the Leafs have something like 19 forward candidates, are over the cap, and even unable to sign draft picks to 2 way contracts. Which is why they have to let Dominic Toninato have to walk as an UFA after August 15th. They have overstocked the cupboard with especially C candidates and are in need of relief. Nylander needs a spot. But if Kadri is not available, so be it. I personally have less interest in a 32 year old UFA to be.
Babcock does not want Nylander to play center. Not now, perhaps not ever. Matthews-Nylander is money, so I don't know if he will ever want to tinker with that.
If we trade Hornqvist then that also creates a glaring need. We don't have an excess of players like him.
I doubt he's traded. Most likely we keep him and see how the contract negotiations go next summer. It's ok to let him walk if the price is too high. Better to have him in the side for this season. It doesn't have to be Hornqvist for a 3C. Sounds like JR has multiple options.
Sure we have options. I just feel at this time that trading an established veteran player is our best option in terms of acquiring a 3C. Our deepest position organizationally speaking is probably goaltender, followed by right wing.
Also, when you say an excess of players like him, I am not too convinced of this. It depends on what people see in Hornqvist. I see a max-effort, 40-50-point winger. Hagelin MAY be able to hit 40 points, but is more of a max-effort 35-point guy. Rust is a 40-50 point guy, and he too is max-effort. Wilson can be a 40-45-point max-effort guy. Aston-Reese is coming, with a similar type.
When people talk about Hornqvist being unique, I don't really understand. Crosby and Malkin, THOSE we don't have a lot of. In fact, we have more than anyone.
But Horny? I need this explained to me like I am a 2-year-old.
Maatta for Kadri is actually pretty close in terms of value, but I don't see how having Kadri as 3C, as good as he would be, is more valuable for the Pens than Maatta and his cost certainty for the rest of the cup window. Especially given how things are tracking with Dumo. He may get two one year deals and then be traded or walk. Or he might get signed, but it's not certain at this point.
The uncertainty of Dumoulin's situation aside, I believe Kadri is worth more than Maatta. I love Maatta, but I don't think he is as good as Kadri now, and I don't think he will ever be able to impact a hockey game as much as Kadri. IF the Leafs were to ever offer Kadri for Maatta, I would not hesitate.
That said, your point about Dumoulin is well-taken.
Dumo-Letang
Cole-Schultz
Hunwick-Ruh
Nothing/deadline scraps
That leaves something to be desired for the playoffs or if there's an injury. I get that we did it this past season, but if we drew a more offensively impressive team than Nashville or Ottawa (which is almost always the case in those rounds) I think we're in a bit of trouble. Having Maatta cuts half the defense a break and plays everyone where they should be, to say nothing of injuries. We kinda need him now and for the future too. I don't see getting rid of him at this point in time.
As for Kadri, again I don't know why they would trade him to us. There's just no cause for making a team in your conference better if you're selling a player many teams would have interest in. I get the logic for Henrique only because the Devils aren't competing any time soon, but other than that some of these names are simply not coming here.
I think the ONLY way we decide to trade Maatta is if a) the Dumoulin situation gets resolved, and b) Markov has interest in coming here.
