Who you are looking at Bern, I personally want no part of trading those 3 unless we're doing a full blown rebuild.
As for the OP I'd want Tanev coming back in any trade otherwise there isn't really much point in us moving Stepan/Kreider for lesser pieces as the holes opened would be too large.
We must do this as a matter of math and a matter of fact.
We ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH. and will not be good enough without key adds, which are unlikely. That is fact.
The vet core has plateaued, and it earns the most $.
That is what we trade for younger, cheaper.
That is math. We must do that cause we have mismanaged the roster and are now up vs the cap with hands tied.
Yield to reality. 2x
Well we have no real reason to move either for spare parts or younger players since evidently the front office think the window is still open. Our glaring need in my opinion is rhd and moving the Staal/Girardi contracts if you cant help us with that then there isnt really much for us in any of these trades.
Whether or not "evidently the front office think the window is still open" === and I don't think Gorts is that stupid --- as a factual matter, it is not, see above.
Gorts will be allowed to make such moves of the vets or we will suffer the consequences.
Stepan is only one year older than Kreider and alot better. We have alot of speed outside of Kreider aswell. Its not like Kreider is very physical either.... Your love affair with Kreider is just ridicolous... He is a fast decent top 6 with upside, nothing more, nothing less.
No, we do NOT have a lot of speed besides CK, at least not difference maker speed.
kreider is extremely physical. his first shifts vs Chara, went through him like a knife thru butter.
your conclusion is erroneous.
as to age + Stepan, it is not physical age but status as vet pushing the salary cap. Kreider extended for max 8 years will get something around 4/4.5 ish and he is better value at that # than stepan at 6.5
why do you think EVERYONE wants kreider, Stepan not as much?
finally, Stepan would earn NMC which WILL NOT be allowed. he is going
So 2 massive overpayments? We are looking for something realistic.
quality assets are scarce.
the standard is the winning bid has to beat the competition.
what is best offer in league for Stepan/+?