Still claiming victory on Stepan when the draft pick hasn't played in the NHL ...I wish it was already proven that the Stepan deal was a great trade. ... we don't have it yet. How can you say it doesn't matter how the 2 players turn out? So if we gave Stepan away for free we won? Seriously? Just ridiculous.
Yes, I claim victory which should be obvious.
Stepan was a productive but ordinary player. He was a great value in the beginning, and there was hope he could develop further.
But the truth is, more or less, he plateaued offensively, and no added experience = more hockey IQ was gonna defeat that he would never improve physically. He was slow at sq 1, is slower now, and likely will get dramatically slower, possibly sooner than later, going forward. Plus he was no longer a bargain. Plus since he had a harsh contract negotiation with Slats, he fully controlled all movement possibility with his NMC-NTC about to become earned.
Now, in that light of reality and not some idealized myth, it was paramount he be moved. I would have moved him and Staal and Girardi years ago for a talent upgrade. Unfortunately, other events happened. Gorton recognized a deal he could not be put off any longer. He tried to get the higher price many here wrongly expected, and he was quite frankly lucky to get what he did out of AZ.
So yes, immediate cap relief , a former 1st, and a 7OA for him and Raanta was great since Stepan did not, and now does not, COMMAND that much.
The pick turned out to be Andersson, but it was really a chit to be in on the first six, if any of them fell. That was a valued consideration. Lias is a fine consolation. Obviously, long term if both LA and Chytil bust [unlikely] our profit would be diminished. However, the shedding of a contract that is not cheap for a player overrated, without taking a bad one in return, IS A WIN. Regardless of how you wish to suggest otherwise.
....and the defenseman got sent down because he can't be relied upon to play a full game of top 6 minutes.
How much of it is as you say, and how much of it is AV nonsense, coupled with a need to showcase Holden, and generate minutes to play a surprisingly better Staal, and have mins to Smith can work his fat ass back into shape? The bottom line is as I said. Main reason for returning DeAngelo is that he could in fact be sent down without penalty. Is there any possibility that fact could be a prevailing reason?
I wish one game (against the worst team in the league) proved that Boo can be an effective bottom 6 forward.
My premise stands. He may/may not go higher than 4C or even 3C. What is important is that he can hold the fort on the pivot with 2 Ws who can drive the offense without him doing more than chiping in.
