I don't disagree with him...but none of this really justifies him being a top 6 dman on the Habs.
I just don't see how the Habs defense, presently built, how you can mix in Diaz AND Beaulieu in this lineup
Subban/Gorges - Emelin-Markov - Diaz/Beaulieu
Hmm...
I just don't see Diaz as a fit on this team and i'm not convinced like everyone else is, that his value was all that high.
Now the Canucks are definitely getting the best player in the deal, and by logic, I guess the team that gets the 'best' player wins the deal...
But again, Diaz didn't have a future in this organization and at some point, getting anything for him is better than nothing.
This is kind of a Catch 22 situation for MB...and don't think other GM's don't know this too.
Some of you have done so many trade proposals involving Diaz that you think that means his value is something, it probably isn't close to being
There was an immediate an obvious role for Diaz in this lineup. He's a guy that can play defense successfully on the right side of the ice. After Subban none of the other defenders have shown that consistently this season.
play him with Markov, play him with Gorges, play him with Emelin on the left, play him with Beaulieu in a soft minute pairing that tries and go score against weak opposition. All of these options are better than using non-NHLers like Boullion and in particular Murray in the lineup.
Particularly with Beaulieu. How many good attempts by Beaulieu to jump start the offense have been squandered in the last couple games because Murray can't handle the puck at this level? Diaz can play defense and play the puck. He's as good a bet as anyone in the lineup to play it safe while the rookie does his thing.
Despite what certain persons are claiming in the face of observable evidence, Murray doesn't make things safer for Beaulieu. The kind of plays Murray makes look safer because they get the puck out of immediate danger, but are actually riskier because they give the other team a fresh chance to try attack. He gives up so much offensive zone time the other team is bound to get an opening eventually, and he's a ticking time bomb to be out of position because he can't skate. Diaz plays actual safe hockey that tries to control where the puck is rather than giving it away.
Long term, sure he's a replaceable part. But the best way to get better fast is to get rid of you're worst players for decent ones. Mtl is getting rid of decent players to keep bad ones.
Particularly for a guy that doesn't bring anything to the 4th line winger spot they didn't have in White, Moen and Prust. Unless they want guys like Moen and Prust playing higher in the lineup, which is also stupid. Weise isn't a need, he's not good enough to play a role above what they already have and doesn't even bring any special skills to the table.