It took a couple seasons for Dustin Brown to really regear his approach to his gameplan given the changes your body goes through as it goes into its 30s. Maybe he can given Lucic some pointers.
I don't get how we heap everything on Sutter's shoulders when Brown was having his problems clear back t0 2014. Brown himself said he had to change the way he approached his preparations for the game. I dont' dispute Sutter being a factor, but it's getting a little silly how he's being given so much credit for Brown's lack of execution in seasons past.
I think his hands are also a huge factor in his regression. He was actually a really underrated play maker and passer while with Boston. With the Kings and now with Edmonton he can't even receive a pass cleanly. He can't skate more than 5 feet with the puck anymore because he's too slow and his hands are awful.
Brown was huge during the 2016-17 season. He bulked up a lot and looked like a NFL linebacker. This season he was noticeably slimmer.
I don't see what the point would be to make the trade now. They have around $4 million in cap space and all the only player they need to sign still is Nurse. They don't necessarily need the cap space right now. Lucic's value is at his lowest I would imagine. Like you said, they'd get nothing in return so it's not like trading him upgrades the team right now. Might as well keep him and see if he can rebound.
One of the worst deals I can remember. Never should've traded him in the first place.
