Horse McHindu
They call me Horse.....
I'm about 3 weeks late to the party on this, but I'll state my thoughts:
I think this deal is a bit of a strange one, but there could be a positive silver lining here. Allow me to explain.
I *highly* doubt that Benning was offered a 1st (lol) or 2nd round pick for Vanek. First off - Vanek isn't a young long term asset like Ryan Hartman or Tomas Tatar and so comparing his value to those guys should go completely out the window. Secondly, comparing Vanek to Nash and Maroon is also inappropriate. Yes - Vanek has outscored both those guys, but those guys bring far more to the table than Vanek (i.e. grit, physicality, defensive play, can play anywhere in the line-up, etc.). What people have to realise with Vanek, is that there's a risk of him being completely useless if he's not playing Top 6 or contributing on the PP. That, combined with his lackluster playoff performances in recent years, is why teams weren't offering much for Vanek.
I find it incredible that people think they other GM's tried to deliberately low ball Benning because they didn't respect him enough, LOL. This, coming a year after Benning acquired Dahlen from the Sens for Burrows. What did we get for Bieksa again? Anyone care to remind me?
The fact that people think that Benning "avoids" picks is absurd in my opinion. The market simply wasn't there for Vanek.
Now here is what wouldn't surprise me: If Benning chose Motte instead of a 3rd rounder. People can debate as to whether that was the right move or not, but here is a fact: More times than not, 3rd round picks eventually develop into Tyler Motte calibre level players. This fact is irrefutable. So again - if the Vancouver media or anyone else is crying or whining that we didn't get a 3rd round pick for Vanek, I think it's quite silly.
In other words - do you want you "Tyler Motte" calibre guy now, or 3 years later? Benning chose now.
I don't mind this trade if the following happens: If Motte bumps Granlund from this team, and lives up to his billing of being a fast skating player that wins puck battles and plays a solid two way game, then I think Motte can be a good long term 4th line player for us. If that's what we got for Thomas Vanek, then I do believe that this trade could be counted as a small win for us.
I think this deal is a bit of a strange one, but there could be a positive silver lining here. Allow me to explain.
I *highly* doubt that Benning was offered a 1st (lol) or 2nd round pick for Vanek. First off - Vanek isn't a young long term asset like Ryan Hartman or Tomas Tatar and so comparing his value to those guys should go completely out the window. Secondly, comparing Vanek to Nash and Maroon is also inappropriate. Yes - Vanek has outscored both those guys, but those guys bring far more to the table than Vanek (i.e. grit, physicality, defensive play, can play anywhere in the line-up, etc.). What people have to realise with Vanek, is that there's a risk of him being completely useless if he's not playing Top 6 or contributing on the PP. That, combined with his lackluster playoff performances in recent years, is why teams weren't offering much for Vanek.
I find it incredible that people think they other GM's tried to deliberately low ball Benning because they didn't respect him enough, LOL. This, coming a year after Benning acquired Dahlen from the Sens for Burrows. What did we get for Bieksa again? Anyone care to remind me?
The fact that people think that Benning "avoids" picks is absurd in my opinion. The market simply wasn't there for Vanek.
Now here is what wouldn't surprise me: If Benning chose Motte instead of a 3rd rounder. People can debate as to whether that was the right move or not, but here is a fact: More times than not, 3rd round picks eventually develop into Tyler Motte calibre level players. This fact is irrefutable. So again - if the Vancouver media or anyone else is crying or whining that we didn't get a 3rd round pick for Vanek, I think it's quite silly.
In other words - do you want you "Tyler Motte" calibre guy now, or 3 years later? Benning chose now.
I don't mind this trade if the following happens: If Motte bumps Granlund from this team, and lives up to his billing of being a fast skating player that wins puck battles and plays a solid two way game, then I think Motte can be a good long term 4th line player for us. If that's what we got for Thomas Vanek, then I do believe that this trade could be counted as a small win for us.