All you guys panicking to run Nuge out of town are ridiculous. That line has an unreal 57% Fenwick and is dominating all scoring chance stats. The thing is that line is shooting 4% and we should all know that won't last. If the team lets Nuge walk they will regret it big time. Early that line had no chemistry, especially with Kassian, but I think lately they've been dominating and pucks just aren't going in. Nuge isn't on that line just for scoring but for defense too. Why can't we have nice things? The top 6 isn't the issue and it sure as f*** isn't Nuge but sure lets run a 10 year Oiler out of town based on the early goings of a season with no preseason because his line is snakebit. Like come on guys you'd think all of you would have learned from last seasons failed and ridiculous witch hunt. Always trying to run good players in this town... Arnott... Petry... ect... It gets old.
The "why can't we have nice things" logic also applies to when Nashville signed Turris and Duchene, why we signed Lucic, Calgary got Neal, etc. I don't think anyone wanted Petry or Arnott out of town, and they left when they were entering their prime, not exiting. I don't think Nuge is exiting yet, but yes, I would be fine with a 3 year deal on Nuge for that reason. I'm worried about the 32 year old Nuge. It's also pretty obvious that his offensive climb has come because of who he plays with now. What happens when Holloway takes that spot? Puljujarvi? So with Yama that's one spot left, and how much does everyone cost?
There's zero emotion in me looking at this. If I were following emotion I'd say sign RNH at all costs. I would like some continuity with the old rebuild, sure, and he's been a great soldier for us all these years.
I'm just for seeing a day, a few years from now, where maybe Bouchard's deal is up and he just had a 65 point season or Yama had 40+ goals, and that player that explodes is the one that has to go, because we just had to sign Nuge a few years ago, and he's on the 3rd line now, and there's no money left.
