Oh I see what you mean, but actually the way you interpreted at first is right. But I did not mean to imply Benson = Bouchard, just that either prospect + 1st would've been a better core to the trade than whatever the 'yotes gave up. Price is obviously steep, but you're missing a couple of key points.
Bringing in Hall without giving up roster players (as ****ty as those roster players are) does not create more holes. In fact, it would make the lineup more balanced, as having Hall/RNH/McDavid/Drai split up 2 and 2 on the top 6 pushes down guys like Gagner/Chiasson/Khaira/etc. into the bottom 6, this actually improves the bottom 6 as guys are no longer forced to play above their ceiling (which has been a problem with this team for YEARS). Our 2nd line is missing a player exactly like Hall who can drive the offense at even strength. If he and RNH were our 2nd line, it would no doubt make RNH better, I can garuantee it. Not to mention, it might even take some of the pressure off of Larsson because he's no longer the brunt of "141" jokes.
However, if we go by your preference, making smaller trades to shore up the middle six is much easier said than done. What players are out there that fit this bill? Keep in mind you need to look at teams that are sellers. The players on those teams' top 6 are usually not actual top 6 quality, otherwise their team wouldn't really be sellers. You don't seem to realise that Hall would've shifted around our team and made a lot of players better (by being on a line with him, or sheltering them from tough opposition). It's not a simple "Oh here's Hall, that's it". Hall would've balanced this forward group single-handedly.
Also, I'm not even gonna pretend like our prospects even matter in this case. McDavid is 23, Draisaitl is 24. How long are we going to wait for prospects to HOPEFULLY pan out? 2 or 3 years tops? How often does a guy like Hall become available in a trade? Once every 2 or 3 years? How often does a guy that actually has a connection to Edmonton, and actually doesn't publically rule out playing here become available? Once every 5 years is probably being generous.
I'm gonna be honest, I'm pissed Holland couldn't beat Coyote's pitiful offer. The only thing worth a damn in that package was the 1st round pick. None of those prospects are really top tier. Like I said, Bouchard/Benson are better than all of them. We could've beat that package with guys like Lagesson, Jones, Bear, Yamamoto, etc. Do you really think trading 2 or 3 of those guys is weakening this team?
Whatever, the opportunity came and went. This team will continue to mire around as a 2-man team. Going nowhere fast.
