Trades and grades chronologically:
1> David Jesus (3rd and 5th)
Great Trade. I give that an ”A.” Jesus is a good d-Man and really steady. A strong add
Interesting how different we view the moves independently.
Jesus - ok, C+ Better speed and more offence than I saw with Gens, but at times can look like the monkey in the middle in his zone.
2> Gaidamak (4th)
I didn't understand this deal...at all. It was only a 4th but he is Russian and there were issues with some Russians because of what is going on. Plus his 2nd half in Ottawa was putrid. Total “D”
From the little bit I saw early last season, I thought Gaidamak and Sirrizotti might be good together. E-Effort.
3> Papais (3rd and 4th)
Another good deal. Decent OA Forward. Not a bad cost. Possible point per game guy. Just didn’t work out. Grade “B”
Hated this one as I saw absolutely no need for a LW, let alone OA LW.
4> Ribeau (3rd & 4th)
Why make this deal? They added Jesus. They added an OA forward in Papais. There was no need to go here at all. This is where things tart to go off the rails. The cost of acquisition was fine but why? Grade”C”
Liked this one a lot. A physical vet LD on a team that previously had one LD and 6-7 RD. B.
5> Zito (2nd, 2nd, 4th, 6th, cond 4th and cond 5th)
What the hell is this deal? I assume the conditionals are him playing an OA season. That’s fine but if you are giving conditionals for OA seasons then why so much up front with two 2nds? This is a horrible deal. For this to work out they’d need Zito to play as a 19 and 20 year old and both years would need to be 80+ point type seasons. Very possible but mitigate the risk with one of the 2nds as a conditional. Grade “D”
Legitimate PK & #2 C to take pressure off Fimis. A
6> Dann (2nd, 2nd, 5th)
Much better deal than the Zito deal because at least there are no conditionals for an OA season. But, there is a difference between a line driver and a passenger. Dann is a passenger, a complimentary piece. If you are going to start paying two 2nds+ for a forward, then make sure it is a player that drives the line or at least be a centre. Grade “B”
Seemed like a good idea. D.
At this point I question what the hell is going on. I get adding two OA’s (not 3). I get adding a 19 year old forward. But at this point you really need to stop. Adding way too much without getting a sense of how the pieces fit together. It isn’t a video game.
7> Great return for Dickinson “A+”
8> William Stewart (12th)
Meh. Whatever. No grade required
9> Runco (Cond 15th)
See #8
10> Klein (12th)
See #8
11> Leblanc’s (2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 5th)
Great deal. Two serviceable players. Neither great nor bad cost. Grade “B”
Trade for the twins was more like I expected of a team wanting to host the following season. A.
12> Keane (2nd, 3rd, Leonard)
Ok. I like Keene but this is the exact reason why you keep an OA spot open. Assess your needs and adjust. The return is sorta fine, maybe a bit too much at that stage of the season but it also means you are trading away one of th players you traded good assets for to make room. So Papais leaves and you lost the 3rd and 4th and only regain a 5th. That makes this move costly when you consider the opportunity costs added in with the acquisition of Papais.
C+ higher if not for the waste on Papais
At this point it is game over. Roster churn is in full tire fire mode.
The Leblanc deal screams out as the reason why you don’t need to acquire so much all at once int he offseason. Opportunities come available during the season and you have enough information regarding the needs of the team so as to inform proper decisions.
If you look at each deal individually, they aren’t bad. I mean, I think the Zito deal is bad. Too many picks for him. The Dann deal is too much because, again, he doesn’t drive his line. He is a complimentary piece. You have to have the centre or else he’s not as effective. If you acquire Zito, don’t acquire Dann. See what you have that can work and make adjustments.
On the aggregate, it is too much. Too many pieces to configure. This approach doesn't tend to win at this level. I can’t argue with the individual trades though. On the Aggregate, the value out vs value in is good. Of course when you make this many moves, not all of them will work so not a big deal from that perspective by why so many moves so quick?
Niagara is pretty much stuck hoping the roster matures by game 20 next season or be worst failure since (2014?) spitfires.
I think it’s going to be alright; it’s pretty hard not to be good with 3-1sts among 8-19 yr olds and good OAs.
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