The thing is, who’s gonna give anything up in a trade, even for that one year, for what he offers, vs the dollars spent? Teams will just go sign a Gostisbehere for $4 million.
For example, teams are gonna be all over Shea Theodore, even if it’s just for next year, because he can carry anyone’s second pairing 20 minutes a night. Hronek doesn’t offer that. So when your talking dollars vs what the player offers a team, teams just can’t justify giving up anything for him because of the price tag. They’d have to be pretty desperate.
At best, the market would be very thin, and when that happens, players just aren’t worth very much to other teams via trade. They know why you’re moving him.
I think reality is gonna finally set in with Hronek and his agent, and he’ll end up signing a much more reasonable contract. At least you’d hope.
It’s gonna be one of the most interesting contracts to watch unfold. I just hope the Canucks don’t give in. I think it would be a major mistake they’d have to live with for years.