With apologies to Lauzon supporters...
Wondering which long term top 4 is most appealing to folks. Take everything into account. Salaries, age, returns in potential trades, expansion draft, not knowing how good Vaakanainen will be, what you think Krug would sign for, everything...
The right answer is probably "we don't have enough information on Krug's salary demands and we need to see how Vaakanainen looks in Providence this season without being injured"... but what is the fun in that.
Gryz/McAvoy + Krug/Carlo
Pros:
We know these pairing work well and have chemistry. Vaakanainen should have value in a trade once he prices himself out.
Cons:
Um, expansion draft means Gryz is exposed and you have to convince Seattle that Lauzon, Clifton or Moore is a better choice (or pay them to do so). Krug will be expensive. He is not a fast skater so his aging curve at 5 on 5 is in question. Lots of smurfs playing big minutes comes with injury risk. Carlo being asked to watch Krug's back could hinder his own ability to grow offensively.
Vaakanainen/McAvoy + Krug/Carlo
Pros:
Great balance of offense and defense from the backend. No expansion draft issues. Gryz could be valuable trade chip if you can find a team with a protection slot.
Cons:
Same as above without the expansion draft and smurf issues.
Gryz/McAvoy + Vaakanainen/Carlo (feel free to swap the LD)
Pros:
Young, cheap, mobile and no expansion draft issues. $$$ available to help up front (and maybe find a #1C in UFA)
Cons:
Not enough offense from the backend after McAvoy without a surprise. In this scenario we have let Krug walk for nothing so get no additional assets from trading a D.
Wondering which long term top 4 is most appealing to folks. Take everything into account. Salaries, age, returns in potential trades, expansion draft, not knowing how good Vaakanainen will be, what you think Krug would sign for, everything...
The right answer is probably "we don't have enough information on Krug's salary demands and we need to see how Vaakanainen looks in Providence this season without being injured"... but what is the fun in that.
Gryz/McAvoy + Krug/Carlo
Pros:
We know these pairing work well and have chemistry. Vaakanainen should have value in a trade once he prices himself out.
Cons:
Um, expansion draft means Gryz is exposed and you have to convince Seattle that Lauzon, Clifton or Moore is a better choice (or pay them to do so). Krug will be expensive. He is not a fast skater so his aging curve at 5 on 5 is in question. Lots of smurfs playing big minutes comes with injury risk. Carlo being asked to watch Krug's back could hinder his own ability to grow offensively.
Vaakanainen/McAvoy + Krug/Carlo
Pros:
Great balance of offense and defense from the backend. No expansion draft issues. Gryz could be valuable trade chip if you can find a team with a protection slot.
Cons:
Same as above without the expansion draft and smurf issues.
Gryz/McAvoy + Vaakanainen/Carlo (feel free to swap the LD)
Pros:
Young, cheap, mobile and no expansion draft issues. $$$ available to help up front (and maybe find a #1C in UFA)
Cons:
Not enough offense from the backend after McAvoy without a surprise. In this scenario we have let Krug walk for nothing so get no additional assets from trading a D.
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