Viqsi
"that chick from Ohio"
So here's a possibility that came to mind that I figured might be worth some discussion. Opted to keep it fairly simple.
To Toronto:
David Savard (27, RD, 3yrs/$4.25m)
To Columbus:
Nazem Kadri (27, C, 4yrs/$4.5m)
Pros for Toronto:
With the addition of John Tavares (!), Kadri suddenly has a much reduced role on the Leafs, to the point that he just might be expendable. RD is a significant area of need, and while Savard isn't a #1D, he can play on a top pair with a good partner and not be totally out of place, AND he's excellent defensively, so he would likely do just fine alongside someone like Rielly (or possibly Gardiner, if folks haven't completely given up on him yet
). This doesn't exactly solve all of Toronto's blueline issues, but it should go a long way towards helping.
Pros for Columbus:
Nutivaara's just been getting better and better, so a top-4 guy can likely be spared - and with this approach, center depth goes from a weak point to an overwhelming strength. Kadri's not a #1C, but he definitely is one of the better two-way scoring center values in the League right now, and so he'd be able to push both Wennberg and/or PLD as needed. Also, this would enable World's Most Hated Line combinations by putting Dubinsky on his wing...
Cons for Toronto:
There's not much in the way of quality proven centers on the Leafs after Matthews/Tavares/Kadri, and while one of Nylander or Marleau could be moved over they're kind of needed at wing. So, in essence, this makes the Leafs even more top-heavy - and it nips in the bud the sheer awesomeness potential of having those three guys as your top 3 centers. That sort of thing can work out when you've got a pair of franchise centers, but it's a risk, and the question is whether or not someone like Savard is worth that risk.
Cons for Columbus:
RD is already a tad thin, and this thins it even further. The Jackets would almost certainly be obliged to go shopping, although there are some options still out there on the market that would possibly do fine behind Jones and Nutivaara (personally, I like DeMelo). This also takes away experience from what is already an extremely young blueline. And then there's that whole "we just signed Nash" thing, which calls into question whether or not this quixotic quest for Yet Another Not A #1 Center is still even necessary.
Thoughts? Comments? Lavish praise? Thinly veiled insults? Bring 'em on.
To Toronto:
David Savard (27, RD, 3yrs/$4.25m)
To Columbus:
Nazem Kadri (27, C, 4yrs/$4.5m)
Pros for Toronto:
With the addition of John Tavares (!), Kadri suddenly has a much reduced role on the Leafs, to the point that he just might be expendable. RD is a significant area of need, and while Savard isn't a #1D, he can play on a top pair with a good partner and not be totally out of place, AND he's excellent defensively, so he would likely do just fine alongside someone like Rielly (or possibly Gardiner, if folks haven't completely given up on him yet
). This doesn't exactly solve all of Toronto's blueline issues, but it should go a long way towards helping.Pros for Columbus:
Nutivaara's just been getting better and better, so a top-4 guy can likely be spared - and with this approach, center depth goes from a weak point to an overwhelming strength. Kadri's not a #1C, but he definitely is one of the better two-way scoring center values in the League right now, and so he'd be able to push both Wennberg and/or PLD as needed. Also, this would enable World's Most Hated Line combinations by putting Dubinsky on his wing...
Cons for Toronto:
There's not much in the way of quality proven centers on the Leafs after Matthews/Tavares/Kadri, and while one of Nylander or Marleau could be moved over they're kind of needed at wing. So, in essence, this makes the Leafs even more top-heavy - and it nips in the bud the sheer awesomeness potential of having those three guys as your top 3 centers. That sort of thing can work out when you've got a pair of franchise centers, but it's a risk, and the question is whether or not someone like Savard is worth that risk.
Cons for Columbus:
RD is already a tad thin, and this thins it even further. The Jackets would almost certainly be obliged to go shopping, although there are some options still out there on the market that would possibly do fine behind Jones and Nutivaara (personally, I like DeMelo). This also takes away experience from what is already an extremely young blueline. And then there's that whole "we just signed Nash" thing, which calls into question whether or not this quixotic quest for Yet Another Not A #1 Center is still even necessary.
Thoughts? Comments? Lavish praise? Thinly veiled insults? Bring 'em on.
