The discussion about moving Ck is that left wing has 3 top 6 left wingners.
Most of us see that for Laf to grow, he needs top 6 ice time.
We can’t move Panarin, so Kreider is the most likely to move.
That is part of the discussion. We also have a fourth high end LW on the way, probably our most imminent impactful prospect.
Another part is that some expensive veterans have to go at some point. And it's not gonna be Panarin, Zibanejad, Fox or Shesterkin, sorry.
So... there are two names next on that list with fat salaries.
That's why they "must" trade either Kreider or Trouba. And they will, eventually, one if not both. (well, technically three names... Trochek will also eventually come up on this block. He's too recently signed to be on it yet though).
They are going to string it out as long as they can with Kreider cause yes, he's a good player.
But to bring this back to Tarasenko.... since this is the Tarasenko thread....
If the choice is Tarasenko, a first, and a high end prospect, or, Kreider.....
.... my answer is the former. Yeah, Kreider will be missed and no one ever said he wouldn't.
Tarasenko will be equally missed when he's gone because when he wasn't here, our offense was mediocre because we lacked enough RWs after Kravtsov bombed out.
I know the org isn't forward thinking enough to go that route though, they are far too loyal to pressure him to waive yet. If there was no NTC then I think it would be an open discussion. I'm sure we will roll next year with Vesey getting too many important RW minutes and our offense will be mediocre at 5v5 again.