for sure. I'm just saying Maatta wouldn't be my holdup assuming he's the biggest piece going. I likely wouldn't want to add what they are asking. A Maatta, a 1st and Sheary would probably be my max offer. I wouldn't love it, but I think I'd do it. If they want Sprong, I'm out. We need a cheap guy like him more than we need the superstar level 3C imo.
I guess I am not as high on a Duchene trade as most, because I would not pay that price (Maatta, Sheary AND a 1st) for Duchene. I love Matt Duchene as a player, but I love him more as a right-winger than a center to be honest. Plus, it's a two-year rental because I seriously doubt we are keeping him beyond that (unless we move him to wing).
Wow, that's a hard one but it's a no for me. I might consider a one for one trade of Dumo and Duchene, like Hall for Larsson, if Duchene was signed for more than 2 years.
I'd consider dealing Dumoulin in a Duchene trade, but Sakic won't do a 1-for-1 and I would not include much more to close the deal. At most, I would be willing to part with Dumoulin/Maatta and a Blueger for Duchene.
Our players are not at a level playing field with the rest of the league. A lot of our players, young veterans, have one or two Stanley Cup rings to their names. That is value that cannot be measured by analytics. These guys have proven you can win with them. So, a Brian Dumoulin has more value than a Calvin De Haan. A LOT more. Olli Maatta has more value than Nick Leddy, imo.
Besides, JR is the last GM Sakic will want to play a game of chicken with. JR has the best team and Sakic has the worst team. If Sakic is playing chicken with someone, it is likely some other desperate GM. Not JR.
Sometimes you just gotta use the eye test. Dumo has been better than Maatta since both cup runs despite whatever those fancy stats say. Dumo's lows are not as bad as Maatta's. But Maatta was very good these playoffs, I don't see how anyone could argue that Maatta was better than Dumo in the 2016 cup run, Maatta was abysmal.
Not just the eye test. You have to use projection, as well. Is it safe to say Dumoulin has pretty much maxed out his upside? Has Maatta?
The job of JR and co. is to evaluate those two players today, and where each will be 3-5 seasons from now. And that goes for any player that may or may not be moved out in order to acquire a third-line center.
Which always brings me back to my main point: the player to trade in order to land a quality No. 3 center is Patric Hornqvist.
As far as the defensemen go, I'd keep both Dumoulin and Maatta. If we have to part with a defenseman, my preference would be to deal Hunwick. I know that sounds unrealistic because we just landed him, but I don't love his contract and I also think Pouliot can do Hunwick's role at a much cheaper rate for the next little while (if only we gave him the opportunity to do so).
I guess Hunwick would not be too happy about being dealt immediately after signing, but this is a business. I am sure he talked with a number of clubs before signing here. Maybe one of those clubs would want him now, and maybe one of those clubs has a potential 3C that we could use.
If we are talking about the most expendable assets, for me they are Hornqvist and Hunwick.