To be buyers or sellers and still have the same problematic coach is the main issue with this team. There is no addition or subtraction that makes this team better because the coach that is the problem, remains the problem.
Agreed, HOG. However, this coach ( I firmly believe) has a lifetime contract with Fenway Sports Group. He is their guy. I think he will outlast Dubas, and he will outlast Crosby, Malkin and Letang. And probably even Karlsson.
He may even outlast us all!
I don't think there's much argument there, personally. Smith/Raks/Rust are a big bucket of vanilla slime.
Also what's up with people wanting to move Ned? I would absolutely move the other one wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy first. Did the team give Jarry some batshit trade clauses I forgot about or is the logic that his contact sucks so bad nobody will take it?
For me, it is simple. The team made a commitment to Jarry and he has repaid them with strong play in the first half. Does his contract suck? I guess. He is also one of the youngest players on the team! Sad but true. I like Nedeljkovic but as a pending UFA, he probably has the type of value he may never have again at this year's deadline. Time to cash in, imo.
Incidentally, Cap Friendly says Jarry's contract has a modified no-trade clause every season. He can say no to 12 teams.
No one wants four more years of Rakell at $5M let alone another year at $5M for Smith without one of their crappy overpaid and likely older players coming back…Rust isn’t going anywhere for at least another year…we do have to get younger and Jake is really the only way to do it successfully, meaning with something useful coming back
I think you are right about Rakell, unfortunately. Smith, I am not so sure. Players with Stanley Cup pedigree are overvalued at the trade deadline. I think he could bring back a draft pick, which I would take and run at this point. Ditto Lars Eller, who has some value.
As for Rust, that full no-movement clause is ridiculous but perhaps he would be willing to move it if a true contender (cough, Canucks, cough) showed interest. That would be our only hope.
I would much rather move Rust, Eller, Nedeljkovic and Smith for picks/prospects and re-sign Guentzel. We would not be waving the towel completely, and at least we get to keep the best thing this team has in the Crosby-Guentzel combination.
Hopefully, those picks/prospects can net us some help for Malkin on the second line (even if not immediate returns).
Bottom line: we are screwed.
love ya sully
they will take off any time now
