At the time we made the trade for Duchene things were looking quite good (not great) and the thought that it would give us the nudge to really turn it on.
It didn't work out. It was a gamble.
I am still happy we made the trade, better to at least try.
It was a gamble. Plus, if the Sens are back in the playoff mix, it should increase the chances that Karlsson re-signs in the summer.
Now, with the selling off of Brassard, it looks like there will be a rebuild.
Duchene is 27 in 2018. UFA in 2019 at 28. How long will it take for the Sens to return to the playoffs if they sell more guys? So, it really doesn't make sense to keep Duchene until he is 30/31 if that is how long it will take for the Sens to regroup and build the team around the likes of Gustofsson in net, Chabot on D (going to need more Dmen), Brown, White, etc.
Have to get good returns on Hoffman, Duchene, Karlsson. Going to be hard to recoup what they have given up for Duchene. I think, realistically, Duchene is a draft day trade, since the new team can extend him a week later. Know that they will have him for the long haul.
Karlsson is actually more a TDL move if the top level teams come knocking with their best offers. If they want him for the next 2 playoffs and are prepared to let him test UFA since he'll command $11 million plus on the open market. If he's moved at the draft, then it's to a team that can pay him that money and buy out the remaining years of his career.
