Stamkos helps a lot, but I just dont think the team top to bottom has performed like years past. Is this team playing better than last year or 2015? It wasnt enough for them to win the cup those years and I would argue they have looked much worse. Part of that is Stamkos being out but they looked a lot better last year without stamkos and made it very far without him. I just dont think they are going to be in the final 4. If you have assets you are going to lose anyway why not get more for them now? I dunno I have always just been in the camp of win the cup or bust. If you arent going to win whats the point of playing one or two rounds ya know? I guess money haha but why not get something to help you win next year or down the line rather than lose guys for nothing in the summer or have to trade them for less in the summer anyway. They are fighting 9 teams for one spot. NINE TEAMS AND ONE SPOT. They are in the middle of that pack but the odds arent great. You could argue its only 7 and take Detroit and NJ out I guess, Carolina has 4 games in hand and if they go on a little run they are right in the thick of it. Just a lot of teams going for 1 spot. Maybe two spots actually but you get the point. Odds arent great for them to make it and even if they do are they going to compete to win it all?
- kevndevries
I get your point but i disagree. Just playing one or two rounds in the playoffs is good financially, its good for the fanbase (no matter what, playoff hockey is always exciting), its good experience for our younger guys. Also it keeps the playoff streak alive, that matters for UFAs.
With that said, I dont think we should be buyers at the deadline. Get a nice return for Boyle, trade Bish if we can get some good assets for him and add some depth on D. Then flip a coin and hope for the best.
