Stone isn't going anywhere. Young, cheap for a few more years and emerging as a pretty good player. Yotes loaded on defense. One guy they may be willing to sacrafice (for a Wayne Simmons type) is Brandon Gormely
David Rundblad in PHX just makse too much sense.
1. He can QB a PP (and he is a RD). He has more or less proven that in the NHL already. I've seen him play not only in the SHL and for the Swedish National team (probably 30+ games), but also full games in the NHL and the AHL.
Is he somewhat flawed defensively? Yes. But he can absolutely QB a PP in the NHL. He is a good hitter, but especially his agility makes him a bit vunerable defensively in the NHL.
From a month ago:
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coy...d-finally-finds-his-place.html?nclick_check=1
Considering Rundblad’s only had brief stints with the Coyotes the past two seasons, that’s an encouraging sign for the 23-year-old.
“It’s taken him a couple seasons to adjust to the pace of the game and the strength of the game,” Maloney said. “I really thought he made a concerted effort over the summer to get stronger and with strength comes quickness and then confidence, too.”
The Coyotes envision Rundblad as a potential power-play quarterback, and he has played on the first unit alongside defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson this season. That skill set will undoubtedly, at some point, pull him back into the lineup.
“If we can’t find that skill up front, then let’s get that skill on our blue line,” Maloney said. “That’s one thing he has and I think the more that we see him evolve this year, we’ll see the skill that he has with the puck. He rivals (Mike) Ribeiro in a lot of ways.”
But it’ll take more than offensive talent to stick on the blue line. Defending has to be a top priority, and Rundblad is still maturing in that area.
“I don’t think the painting is finished yet,” Maloney said. “I think he’s evolving into that player that we hoped he could become.”
And he’s doing so at the NHL level. That’s given greater purpose to the trade, the wait and the off-season work.
“I feel more comfortable in everything,” Rundblad said. “It was worth it.”
2. He makes 0.75m in 14/15. That could be extremely valuble for us. After that, Slats can force him into a bridgecontract for another couple of years.
3. He could be had somewhat cheap I imagine not only because he is not quite there yet, but becuase PHX just got a great log-jam on defense. OEL and Yandle are the goto pieces on two D pairings. OEL gives you offense and Yandle is a true 2-way D. Then they have Michalek and Morris that works really well with those two and have for years. Two other kids in Stone and Gomerly. And Klesla. Schlemko is not a bad depth D.
4. We have the environment to bring him up in. Behind Strålman and Girardi 5 on 5. When McI is ready, Rundblad will compliment him really well on the right side. He would step right into the top PP unit in NY. He would really help BR with his work on the point on the PP (like Maloney descibes his connection with Riberio above).
Bottomline:
1. Move MDZ for a forward that PHX wants.
2. Move the forward for Rundblad and a 2nd round pick.
Staal-Strålman
McD-Giradi
J Moore-Rundblad
How much money are we saving on paying Rundblad .75m next season in relation to what MDZ will get? 3m? More? That really makes a diffrence for us. Then in Like Maloney is talking about, Rundblad is coming around. He is moving in the right direction. His PP-ability is noticeable, he is a good hitter, if he only can pin down the gap-controll etc (its not like he is horrible in this area), just how much potential does this kid have?
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