That only reinforces my point. Regier is not moving him for anything less than a painful overpay based on his modus operandi. Any trades are going to come from ownership until there is a new GM and I don't see Pegula letting Pominville get dealt for anything short of a stud.
Even if the above played out as you state and Larsson could be removed, the cost for Pominville would be prohibitive for us. It would cost multiple top prospects (likely both Matteau and Merrill) and likely a pick as well.
But that's where I'm saying you're wrong.
Darcy doesn't want Thornton/Kovalchuk/Varlamov overpayment, he just thinks everyone on his team demands quality assets.
He wouldn't demand Larsson. Matteau+ is what he would ask for, because Buffalo has no elite utility players. They're soft and need a jack-of-all-trades, which is what he is. And, as mentioned previously, I think we need to move a prospect defensmen soon or they'll begin to lose value. Urbom/Gelinas/Burlon are all above-average assets but we can't keep all of them.
Matteau, to me, is a worthy prospect we should invest in but I don't think he's untouchable. I think we could find a Zubrus replacement via free agency and trade a prospect with high value for a guy that fill an immediate need and we could keep long-term.
Pegula is a non-factor in this. He thought Leino was a legit #2C and that Ehrhoff was a bonafide #1D, both of which are grossly incorrect. He wants to provide a positive culture in the locker room. He grew up as a Flyers fan and knows how important physical role players are to team success.
The only barrier is a stubborn Buffalo GM who will likely be relieved from duty soon.
