Of course acquisition costs are irrelevant. Gourde was originally an AHL signingfor TBL, does that make him worthless.
A 20 game hot streak? What are you talking about. In DET, walman scored 21 goals in 126 games (14 goals/82 gms). Thats amazing, especially since 20 were at EV (only 1 pp). The fact that detroit dumped him made no sense at the time. Great play by grier, but irrelevant to current value. The last two months, walman is averaging 25 mins a game! he is playing #1 mins. yes, he had a hot streak 10/28-11/30, but he has been the #1 all year, and the fact that he plays those kind of minutes on a massively minus team and is basically even is amazing. he has proven himself to be a legit top 4, possibly top pairing Dman. Thats very very valuable, not to mention pretty damn good size at 6'1, 218.
The asking price, if they sell at all, should be based on his actual performance, salary structure, age, etc. his performance is top pairing. his salary is 4-5M under value for next year (if he was a UFA hed get 7+ next year), and hes 29, right in the middle of his prime.
These kind of D rarely come on the market, and grier should recognize that and get a whole lot more than a 1st. or, better yet, keep him and start emerging from the rebuild, and deal him at the deadline next year if that seems prudent, or if the sharks have a great year (which is not impossible), then extend him.
Alas, yet another talent jettison by GMMG. Great acquisition, but more talent back out the door.