But that doesn't fix any of their problems. Trading a guy for less than he's worth because there was a "circus" surrounding him and making your team worse will only create a far-larger circus-like atmosphere around the team. He's only shooting himself in the foot if he comes out and moves Duchene for a mediocre return.

They need to improve but trading his second best forward for a middling defenseman, a mid-round pick and a prospect who is not guaranteed to succeed won't make COL improve, in fact it would probably make them a lot worse in the short-term and, possibly, the long-term.
- eichiefs9

in one breath you dint want to trade Barzal or Pulock, now either one if them plus additional player and draft picks is a mediocre return ?

I agree with you, but I dont think Sakic is going to wait any further than the trade deadline. He just is fielding offers and i believe going to pick the best one at the last hour. That being the case, Snow isnt going to get this done trying to trade value for value. Pulock from what I've read is being outplayed by Toews in bport. I dont see how trading any prospect would set the team back. Its not often that you have a player like Duchene available.
- kindlyrick

I think he may hope that the ticking clock of the trade deadline makes another GM panic and cough up a massive return, but I don't think it's going to pressure him into moving Duchene. Yzerman stood pat with Stamkos who was a pending UFA and that worked out pretty well.

I'll let Dan weigh-in on the BPT guys...but I don't think Pulock is being outplayed by Toews. That's not to say Toews isn't having a fantastic season...but I think Pulock is having an outstanding year. Stricly point-wise, Pulock is 4pts behind Toews and has played 21 less games. He's also scored 6 more goals than Toews. But that's neither here nor there, they're both having fantastic seasons and that's great.

If we trade for Duchene, he's not going to be JT's wing. First line is fine for now. 2nd and 3rd line need buffering.
- bgainesDM

But the PP will be a threat, and if the isles had a PP that was able to bury in last years playoffs, they coulda advanced. Special teams wins and loses games.

I think he may hope that the ticking clock of the trade deadline makes another GM panic and cough up a massive return, but I don't think it's going to pressure him into moving Duchene. Yzerman stood pat with Stamkos who was a pending UFA and that worked out pretty well.

I'll let Dan weigh-in on the BPT guys...but I don't think Pulock is being outplayed by Toews. That's not to say Toews isn't having a fantastic season...but I think Pulock is having an outstanding year. Stricly point-wise, Pulock is 4pts behind Toews and has played 21 less games. He's also scored 6 more goals than Toews. But that's neither here nor there, they're both having fantastic seasons and that's great.
- eichiefs9

Funny I was basing that comment on Dan saying that Toews was bports best dman this season.

But that doesn't fix any of their problems. Trading a guy for less than he's worth because there was a "circus" surrounding him and making your team worse will only create a far-larger circus-like atmosphere around the team. He's only shooting himself in the foot if he comes out and moves Duchene for a mediocre return.

They need to improve but trading his second best forward for a middling defenseman, a mid-round pick and a prospect who is not guaranteed to succeed won't make COL improve, in fact it would probably make them a lot worse in the short-term and, possibly, the long-term.
- eichiefs9

my point is that Sakic has more pressure to deal than you are implying, I don't see this happening at his asking price after the deadline

Are you going to base that on stats?
- kindlyrick

I'm going to base that on how I see him play.

But the PP will be a threat, and if the isles had a PP that was able to bury in last years playoffs, they coulda advanced. Special teams wins and loses games.
- kindlyrick

The PP is ranked 25% under Weight. The PK needs help.

in one breath you dint want to trade Barzal or Pulock, now either one if them plus additional player and draft picks is a mediocre return ?
- jmoney4080

When did I say I wouldn't trade Barzal OR Pulock?

When you are the team trading the star player, yes. The risk is simply not identical on either side.

I'm going to base that on how I see him play.
- bgainesDM

Then we will just agree to disagree.......you put that level of speed and skill with #91, and you'll have a 1-2 punch that will rival Toews/Kane, and Crobsy/Malkin on the PP.

I think he may hope that the ticking clock of the trade deadline makes another GM panic and cough up a massive return, but I don't think it's going to pressure him into moving Duchene. Yzerman stood pat with Stamkos who was a pending UFA and that worked out pretty well.

I'll let Dan weigh-in on the BPT guys...but I don't think Pulock is being outplayed by Toews. That's not to say Toews isn't having a fantastic season...but I think Pulock is having an outstanding year. Stricly point-wise, Pulock is 4pts behind Toews and has played 21 less games. He's also scored 6 more goals than Toews. But that's neither here nor there, they're both having fantastic seasons and that's great.
- eichiefs9

What do honestly believe Yzerman's asking price will be for TJ? its not gonna be remarkably less than Duchene... Duchene is a ufa in 1.5 season, TJ will be considered just as valuable due to his RFA status

my point is that Sakic has more pressure to deal than you are implying, I don't see this happening at his asking price after the deadline
- jmoney4080

"The last coach didn't like Duchene's defensive efforts" isn't really a reason to hurry up and trade your star player for a non-optimal return.

The Avs are bad. Trading their second best player for prospects and average players will make them worse.

The PP is ranked 25% under Weight. The PK needs help.
- bgainesDM

Clutter and Cizikas are injured......the PK will be fine.

Clutter and Cizikas are injured......the PK will be fine.
- kindlyrick

We've given up a PP goal in each of the last 5 games. I don't think it's fine right now.

Then we will just agree to disagree.......you put that level of speed and skill with #91, and you'll have a 1-2 punch that will rival Toews/Kane, and Crobsy/Malkin on the PP.
- kindlyrick

Now I think you're overrating him now. I'd rather make a trade for Tyler Johnson. Safer bet. He can play 2 way hockey and would fit great in the 2nd line.

We've given up a PP goal in each of the last 5 games. I don't think it's fine right now.
- bgainesDM

Your top PKers are injured. Im not saying its fine now, but it will be fine. The PP has had 5 years under weight. Its too iffy for me, and was non existent come playoff time.

What do honestly believe Yzerman's asking price will be for TJ? its not gonna be remarkably less than Duchene... Duchene is a ufa in 1.5 season, TJ will be considered just as valuable due to his RFA status
- jmoney4080

I don't really know. But they can't take back very much (if any) salary, so I know it will be likely centered around picks/prospects.

I also don't think Johnson's asking price will be that close to Duchene, but that's purely my opinion.

Now I think you're overrating him now. I'd rather make a trade for Tyler Johnson. Safer bet. He can play 2 way hockey and would fit great in the 2nd line.
- bgainesDM

Im fine with Tyler Johnson, I just dont think he's as talented as Duchene.

Your top PKers are injured. Im not saying its fine now, but it will be fine. The PP has had 5 years under weight. Its too iffy for me, and was non existent come playoff time.
- kindlyrick

The PP was pretty good last playoffs. Cizikas just got hurt yesterday. The other 4 games matter.

The PP was pretty good last playoffs. Cizikas just got hurt yesterday. The other 4 games matter.
- bgainesDM

I dont really get your point? Are you saying the isles should now trade for a PKer?

But you can look at the present and see that we have a "sometimes good, sometimes not good" goaltender and average defensemen. That's my issue. Adding Duchene would be awesome, don't get me confused...I'm not arguing against him. But I'm not ready to throw out a massive haul of talent and put all our eggs in one basket.
- eichiefs9

Agree Chiefs, We are not at that point to go all in for "that" player that puts us over the top, and really not even close, imho.

Im fine with Tyler Johnson, I just dont think he's as talented as Duchene.
- kindlyrick

Plus as was mentioned before I do not think Tampa would trade him to the ISlanders as they are trying to catch us. It makes no sense.

Im fine with Tyler Johnson, I just dont think he's as talented as Duchene.
- kindlyrick

Talent doesn't mean he'd fit in well with my agenda via trade. Johnson's play would fit well in the 2nd line whereas Duchene's play honestly makes good chemistry with Ladd and Chimera. Less defensive responsibility and can score from there. Signing Johnson as an RFA would be easier than resigning Duchene after 2 years since he'll be a UFA.

Plus as was mentioned before I do not think Tampa would trade him to the ISlanders as they are trying to catch us. It makes no sense.
- kasperrko

Agreed but for sake of dicusssion, i like Tylers game......i just dont think he's gonna come cheap either. If im going to go out and pay up its going to be for the more gifted player.

I dont really get your point? Are you saying the isles should now trade for a PKer?
- kindlyrick

No. I'm just saying you think the PK will be fine when I doubt it right now even if Clutterbuck comes back. I do think defense needs to be no. 1 priority btw ;-)

Talent doesn't mean he'd fit in well with my agenda via trade. Johnson's play would fit well in the 2nd line whereas Duchene's play honestly makes good chemistry with Ladd and Chimera. Less defensive responsibility and can score from there. Signing Johnson as an RFA would be easier than resigning Duchene after 2 years since he'll be a UFA.
- bgainesDM

You think Yzerman is going to give up Johnson for much less than Duchene? It may be a bit less, but as i said before if im paying up, im doing so for the more gifted player.