Yes we do.
But I think you'd agree that we're not going anywhere this year. And Markov could very well be playing on borrowed time. One more injury and hes' done.
I'll gladly stick with Markov and risk an injury. If he doesn't sustain this injury, he's a very big asset to have. He would be the perfect mentor for Beaulieu.
Yes he can move the puck. Yes he's awesome (maybe the best in the league) on the PP. But we're seriously hurting in other areas. And while we lose some mobility, right now that mobility is coming at a cost. I don't think Diaz and Markov is a very good pairing. They're just too much of a liability now.
I agree, the pairing isn't good, and that's mainly due to Diaz, not Markov.
Rafa is nothing more than a bottom pair guy. I don't think he has much of a future as a #4. I see him as a bottom guy with loads of PP time. He really hasn't been that impressive. He had a good start last year but that was short lived due to injury, and since then well, rather lackluster.
You have to give something to get something. We've got Subban and Diaz with Beaulieu on the way. Of the three I think he makes the most sense to move. But like I said, I don't see us getting a guy like Coburn back.
I wouldn't give much for Coburn. He's not what he used to be. Maybe it's because he's poorly used, I believe so, but I wouldn't give Markov for him. I think he'd be good next to Markov actually.
Well, Markov has lost a step. He's a liability moreso than Diaz is. And while Diaz is not Markov on the PP, I think he'd be good enough. And PK alone can make that PP run pretty well now. We'd still have a good productive blueline. As good offensively? No. But still very good. And Coburn isn't useless offensively either. He's just not a number one.
Defensively though I think it would be infinitely better.
I think you and I rate Diaz differently. The only thing he has on Markov is speed/mobility. Diaz doesn't have the vision of Markov and when we tried to have him set up PK it really wasn't much of a success, nor was letting PK run the show.
I'm not as convinced as you are that our blueline would still produce well. Markov was a big reason why it did as well, and PK isn't a big set up guy.
You lose arguably the best PP QB in the NHL, it's going to affect you. It's not Rafa Diaz that will pick up the pieces and compensate.
We dont' really need to replace him though. The team's offense back there is good enough. What's not good enough is the D in our own zone. Nobody can clear the crease and we need to be more physical back there.
I think moving Markov and having Coburn with Diaz as our 2nd pair wouldn't make our defensive coverage much better, it would definitely hurt us offensively and with our transitions/counterattacks.
I'm all for bringing Coburn in, but I wouldn't give Markov up for him.