When I saw the traditional biweekly Brady Tkachuk thread on the trades board, I was considering offering Marchenko + CBJ's 1st, since I assume it'd take that kind of package. It got me thinking, do I really think it's in Columbus' best interest to acquire Tkachuk if the price is to part with Marchenko now? He's becoming a truly fantastic player and he has such a good attitude, which, if Ottawa would actually trade Tkachuk, I assume he doesn't. Yes, he's not the same level of player, but does he need to be?
Furthermore, I assume any trade would happen at the draft. If Lindstrom recovers and plays well during the spring, doesn't that kind of cover the type of hole that we would want to fill with a Tkachuk trade in the long run?
My point is: if Lindstrom looks good in the spring, would I still be interested in paying such a haul for Tkachuk? Wouldn't it be better of Waddell to focus on the defense side of things? Say a Noah Dobson or what have you.
Is Brady Tkachuk a mirage? Or am I simply home blind, grossly underestimating the difference in level of play between Marchenko and Tkachuk as well as putting too much hope on Lindstrom?
