Not saying I agree with it but point production is the primary driver of salary for forwards; if Gourde isn’t producing offensively then he’s not worth the contract we gave him.
In any event it’s not so much about Gourde underperforming (though that certainly makes the situation even worse) as it is about his importance relative to the likes of Cirelli and Sergachev and the fact that our inability to move him will likely cost us a more valuable player. He could live up to his deal and that full NTC (and/or our decision not to trade him before it kicked in) would still have been a horrible move.
I understand and agree to the idea behind your post on a lot of levels.
The importance of contracts off less valuable assets in relation to the potential consequences on more valuable assets like Cirelli and Sergachev.
Great point.
I also agree, to some extent that point production is important in relation to living up to a contract for a forward.
It is also important to take usage into consideration.
Gourde for example has been trusted into being the 3rd C in Point’s absence.
That role is much harder than 2nd line winger.
The coaching staff felt more confortable with Gourde there instead of Johnson.
I don’t think it’s fair to judge Gourde on point production when he started the season playing at a position he is not used to play in the NHL.
It would also not be fair to compare Gourde and Johnson solely based on point production to compare their value to the team.
So where I disagree with the previous contract analysis is putting the blame of said situation only on Gourde’s contract.
Palat
Johnson
Killorn
Gourde
Miller
Those 5 players were roughly making the same amount of money.
It’s a good base to use when comparing them an judging how much value they bring to the team.
Miller has been traded for a $5 Millions relief.
Now if I were to rank the 4 players left as of the value they bring to the team today at roughly the same salary it would go as follow :
1. Palat
2. Gourde
3. Johnson
4. Killorn
Cirelli and Sergachev are definitively more important to this team than any of the aforementioned 4 players (or 5 including Miller).
If Gourde is not worth $5 Millions, then Johnson and Killorn are also not worth their money, and I would look at trading their contracts before trading Gourde’s contract.
The inability to move Gourde’s contract should not be the problem when you have lesser players on the team with roughly the same contract.