Latest on the Maple Leafs, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, Senators and Blackhawks in part two of your NHL rumor mill.
Left wing Andrew Ladd could fetch a first-round pick for the Jets.
TSN.CA: Frank Seravalli believes the Toronto Maple Leafs helped set the trade market leading up to the deadline with the returns they received (a second round pick in 2017 and a second rounder in 2018) by shipping Roman Polak and Nic Spaling to the San Jose Sharks. That could help the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers, who also carry players who could become playoff rentals by the trade deadline.
Seravalli also broke down the draft pick evaluations of some potentially available rental players:
First Round
LW Mikkel Boedker, Arizona
RW Loui Eriksson, Boston
LW Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg
Second Round
D Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver
RW Jiri Hudler, Calgary
RW Teddy Purcell, Edmonton
D Kris Russell, Calgary
C Eric Staal, Carolina
LW Kris Versteeg, Carolina
Third Round
D Evgeny Medvedev, Philadelphia
RW P-A Parenteau, Toronto
D Justin Schultz, Edmonton
RW Radim Vrbata, Vancouver
RW Dale Weise, Montreal
CALGARY SUN: In the wake of the Flames shipping Markus Granlund to Vancouver for promising winger Hunter Shinkaruk, Wes Gilbertson anticipates Flames GM Brad Treliving has more deals in store by the deadline. He speculates pending UFA defenseman Kris Russell and forwards Jiri Hudler and David Jones could also be dealt.
TSN 1260 (via TODAY’S SLAPSHOT): Bob McKenzie believes the Edmonton Oilers will move defenseman Justin Schultz, saying the blueliner has no future in Edmonton.
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Vancouver Canucks winger Jannik Hansen, with 19 goals this season, is on the trade radar. Carrying an attractive annual salary-cap hit of $2.5 million for two more seasons, Kuzma suggests he’d be a good fit with the Chicago Blackhawks. He also claims Canucks GM Jim Benning wants to make a hockey trade and get younger and faster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That doesn’t mean Hansen’s available for sure, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Benning’s listening to offers. If he can get a younger, faster player in return, he could consider it.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators performance this week will determine if GM Bryan Murray becomes a buyer or seller at the trade deadline. Garrioch claims the Sens want to move defenseman Patrick Wiercioch and winger Shane Prince. Garrioch also claims the Tampa Bay Lightning are shopping winger Erik Condra and his $1.25 million per season salary.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Rob Ogden reports Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman was in Montreal scouting last night’s game between the Canadiens and Nashville Predators, likely looking at possible trade targets. One possibility could be Canadiens winger Tomas Fleischmann. With the Predators in the playoff hunt, they’re likely to be buyers, not sellers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: While notables wingers like Andrew Ladd and Mikkel Boedker have been linked to the Blackhawks, Bowman could be in the market this year for a player more affordable in both salary and return.
As much as Kris Russell is valuable to the Flames, in no way can they pay him in the $5 m range. I hope they get a huge home town discount or he is gone. Among the league leaders in block shots over the last number of years and will be an excellent play off addition to some team.
Russell n Hamhuis both under valued at fetching only a 2nd. Any contender adding them get big upgrades.
Agreed. If not a 1st from the bottom 3rd of the draft a 2nd & additional pick compensation & possibly a prospect that has at least some hope of being an NHL’er down the road.
Green lighting but something along the lines of 2 2nd’s or a 2nd & again a prospect that has some form of NHL future even if it’s as a checker or low end Dman. Most prospects moved at trade deadline time rarely ever see the NHL. Their not really prospects as much as their suspects.
I just don’t see any team wanting Schultz. On any playoff team he would be in the minors. The only thing he has going for him is he can skate. He can’t pass, can’t defend the front of the net, and doesn’t have a big shot from the blue line. Yeah he is a RFA, but it will take a team that would want to retain him to qualify him at 4mil per season, which he is not worth.
Sounds like Jake Gardiner so I could see a team taking a gamble on trying to fix him, but as you say Kev, his contract status makes it pointless to trade for him now.
Actually I would take Gardiner over Schultz any day. There have been a big number of Schultz giveaways this year that lead to a game tying or winning goal this season.
Yeah, I meant Gardiner back in his days when he was struggling, before he got sent down to the AHL to retool. That’s why I’m saying someone could take the gamble on a similar redemption project.
Schultz is a player that should have been stuck in the AHL from the get go. A LOT of time is needed to fix what is wrong. He was an All Star in the AHL and has the tools I just think that giving him a ton of ice time, responsibility and Money when he fails to contribute has lead him to believe that he can continue doing what he is doing and still be rewarded. I doubt that anyone takes him on and if they do it shouldn’t be a team that will rush him to quarter back their power play. Its a team like Detroit that will put him in the AHL to learn the trade and become a responsible player. I have swore at the TV screen and scared the you know what out of my girlfriends cat far too many times this year because of this guy to be sad if he moves on.. however if he does I hope that he makes more of himself or at the very least gives the oilers the same soft defensive assignment he has given other teams.
I agree, Schultz didn’t have the coaching from the start to be successful. Also the GM at the time didn’t get the players needed to help them be successful either.
The only problem Dan is that you aren`t gonna pay him 4 mill/yr. to fix him. So if you1re gonna trade for him you`re trying to get him to agree to a lesser contract and spend time in the minors. Good luck with that, but , your comparison to Gardiner is pretty close and if I`m Toronto I take that gamble.
Bowman has been looking for an option at Left Wing which would be why he was looking at Flieschman, with Panarins bonuses he might have an overage so Flieschman might help with that at seasons end as a UFA as well as his low salary cap but gives veteran presence.
I think that Canukcs made a mistake giving up on Shinkaruk so early , he was having a very good year in Utica.
I don’t see a clear plan by Benning?
Good pick up by Flames.
I think its buyer beware on Eric Staal I wouldn’t give up to much for him at the deadline, he will be to difficult to resign and I am not sure he will be a big contributor at a significant cost.
Other than back door PP goals what is it that makes Shinkaruk stand out?
He’s weak defensively n doesn’t battle for pucks.
If he cannot make it as a top 6 winger be will be a bust. Jury is out still on that.
We won’t really know what Shinkaruk is going to be until he further develops. Another 2 years in the AHL getting some NHL exposure along the way & then several years of NHL development. Most 1st round picks are at the very least given an opportunity to be the players they were thought to be when drafted.
As a general rule but not always; more anomalies than say standard player development, if you produce in JR, then produce in the AHL your eventually going to be an NHL’er. Not necessarily as scorers though but you’ll get your chance.
If a high draft pick & you have the other NHL tools required. Skating, mental awareness, size, etc.
Few little guys or players selected outside the 2nd round necessarily even get the chance even if they produce below the NHL unless they just slam the door open & force a teams hands.
First Round
LW Mikkel Boedker, Arizona
RW Loui Eriksson, Boston
LW Andrew Ladd, Winnipeg
Second Round
D Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver
RW Jiri Hudler, Calgary
RW Teddy Purcell, Edmonton
D Kris Russell, Calgary
C Eric Staal, Carolina
LW Kris Versteeg, Carolina
Third Round
D Evgeny Medvedev, Philadelphia
RW P-A Parenteau, Toronto
D Justin Schultz, Edmonton
RW Radim Vrbata, Vancouver
RW Dale Weise, Montreal
– That’s quite the interesting list of available targets this year. I remember reading a month or two ago that the consensus was the deadline would be boring this year and that too many teams were in the hunt so there would likely be a lack of moves. At this point I think this years deadline will be great and full of moves! Teams who are on the cusp of being a cup contender (I say cup contender instead of playoff because I feel this year there’s a glaring difference) will likely make moves to impact their teams. Even the list of available players that Seravalli thinks could net a 2nd round pick is quite impressive.
You can thank Lou Lamoriello and the Leafs for not making this year’s deadline boring although I wish he would wait until the day itself for his next magic trick just to make things more interesting. I can’t believe he got two 2nd-rounders for a couple of useless players in Polak and Spaling. Now I understand why Doug Wilson played most of his career without a helmet! That should mean that Parenteau at the very least should be worth a lot more than a third pick, wouldn’t you think? I made my own list with just the Leaf players on it and this is what I feel their values could be just in terms of draft picks alone:
1st round pick – Rielly, Komarov, Kadri, JVR
2nd round pick – Reimer, Bozak, Gardiner, Parenteau
3rd round pick – Bernier, Lupul. Holland
4th-7th picks – Everyone else
Wow.
It must be happy hour where ever your posting from. None of the players your proposing are available solely for 1st round picks unless guaranteed top 10 picks & JVR & Reilly would require at least a top 5 lottery pick & potentially additional compensation depending upon where that top 5 pick actually is in the weighting.
Gardner isn’t moving for a 2nd, he should be in your 1st group & same thoughts apply to him.
As for Polak. A solid #5 Dman. He sits 3rd in the NHL for hits & 37th for blocked shots for all Damn. He plays with a ton of heart & is a great penalty killer who can skate 18 plus minutes a night very effectively. SJ got great value sending 2 2nd round picks 1 in 2017 & 1 in 2018 for Polak & Spalling.
The chances that either of those selections based on SJ’s anticipated draft position ever even see the NHL is slim to non existent.
Sal,
Not sure I agree with these returns… also, Polak was always going to get a 2nd round pick IMO but the extra pick was a slight surprise. Then again, Toronto took $$$ back and the picks are in future years. Seems like a fair trade.
If you look at the players on my list that I have listed as being worth 2nd rounders, I can see the Leafs asking for, and possibly getting, 1st rounders for them, but they might have to settle for 2nds to get them moved unless they’re lucky enough to run into a desperate (and stupid) GM like Wilson.
Sal, we just haven’t heard anyone say that Wilson made a stupid trade. The expectations we heard for Polak were anything from a 2nd+ to a 3rd+, with consensus around a 2nd alone.
A 2016 2nd is worth similar to the price he paid: a 2017 and a 2018 2nd plus a contract dump he unloads and he gets back Spaling for depth.
He also needed exactly what Polak brought to the table – a lower pair, right-side D, that will add physical minutes and be defensively responsible.
The rest of your list is going to draw some criticism.
Most people would say that the Leafs would not move Reilly for a top 3 pick in this years draft. JVR would be similar. Whatever it is though, Komarov can’t be in the same universe of value.
Conversely, most people would say your 3rd round pick line is way too optimistic – none of those guys have much positive value. Arguably, Lupul could have deep negative value and same for Bernier.
Sal.
Apparently you choose not to read the comments of myself, Chad & Dan39. None of us think Wilson was stupid & correct me if I’m wrong gentlemen but I think agree that Wilson’s acquisition of Polak & Spaling for to late 2 2nd round picks, 1 in 2017 & 1 in 2018 to be great value for a #5 Dman & a checking C or LW with decent face off skills & a solid penalty killer.
Sal. Polak has averaged 19:44 TOI/GP. He sits 3rd in the NHL for hits by Dman & 37th for blocked shots. He’s a great penalty killer just like Spaling which will seriously help SJ’s 21st ranked penalty killing unit.
Polak will now give SJ a solid guy to anchor the 3rd pairing. Spaling will bump Brown from the line up, Zubrus when Wingels returns.
This was a great trade for SJ & moves them into a far better position to compete against the other power houses in the west of which there are a bunch. Chic, LA, Anh, StL, etc.
& to think they addressed 2 significant needs giving up 2 late 2nd round picks who’s chances of ever playing in the NHL are slim to non existent. Less than 20% of 2nd rounders even selected see more than a cup of coffee in the NHL & most that do actually make it don’t do so for 5 plus years.
Who’s stupid? Certainly not Wilson.
Sal,
Not sure Toronto ran into a desperate GM in Wilson, they wanted a depth defenseman. Everyone knows defenseman this time of year are worth more, especially ones that can be slotted in on a nightly basis and play solid minutes. Both of which Polak is. Those picks are in later years, who knows how they turn out… SJ could be towards the top of the standing next 2 years and then those picks are almost 3rd rounders. Toronto also took back a contract. I think Toronto could’ve gotten a better return on deadline day and possibly got an asset(s) in this years draft.
SJS may be very different in 2 years and that pick could be a lot higher then a late round pick.
Agreed Yanke I kinda like Polak to but to ,e and alot of the things Ive read the Sharks kinda gambled hard similar to the Preds last year with this deal….Im not saying it was a terrible deal but Im not sure it was a good one and judging by what Fear the Fin (Sharks blog) said Im not sure that many love this trade from a Sharks stand point…
When I woke up at 8 a.m., I thought I heard a large thud in the distance. It, of course, was *another* piece of the sky falling in San Jose. For those not caught up, the Sharks traded Raffi Torres and a pair of second-round draft picks to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Roman Polak and Nick Spaling.
The reaction to this trade has not been great — and that makes sense. Those are a lot of assets to give away for a bottom pairing guy and a fourth-liner. Dumping the Torres contract, and whatever blood curse he comes with, is nice, but that doesn’t really move the balance back in the Sharks favor.
The last bit was from the Sharks blog and judging by the comments on this trade there Id say that a whole bunch of people dont really have much good to say aboit this trade despite the pumping of Wilsons tires that stiker seems to be doing. lol
Yes SJ is going to be allot different in a few years, there going to be better than they are now.
A bunch of that youth Hertl, Donskoi, Karlsson, Nieto, Tierny & Jones will all be much more developed & better, taking on Marleau’s & Thornton’s minutes as they move on freeing up 13 plus million much of that to be spent else where in the UFA market & the prospects coming will slide into the spots on the young players moving up, Goldobin, Meier, Chartier, Mueller, etc.
This is a very young team once Thornton & Marleau move on. Although I wouldn’t be shocked to see Thornton sign on for another few years, as he just isn’t slowing down. His game was never built on speed but smarts; his abilities to make decisions very quickly with out even really thinking about them, size & incredible passing abilities. He may be the next Jagr with out the 3 year hiatus.
There have been moments of weird turmoil & infighting that has seriously impacted the on ice product. Much of which was created by Wilson unnecessarily but overall this is a very well run & structured team with long term success. They just have the misfortune of playing in the west.
Shticky.
Go look at how many 2nd round picks so much as have had a cup of coffee in the NHL in the last decade.
What’s a reasonable # of games to qualify as a cup of coffee? 1 game, 25, 50, 1 year?
Well I was commenti g more towards Sal, we just haven’t heard anyone say that Wilson made a stupid trade….
There are plaenty of people who dont like this trade and yes I do know % it dosent take away from the fact that the more second round picks you give away (in thos case 2 gives you a zero % chamce of drafting anything significant in the second round…ROR is a pretty decent 2nd rond pick Kucherov Siccions Sprong Saad Gibson Jenner Rattie jarnrok Tiffoli Spooner DSP Faulk…yes believe it or not sometimes good players get drafted in the second round and with no second rou d picks it makes it even more difficult to get them…save me the speech, it was not a terrible trade but far from a good one.
The Sens should see what it would take to get Condra back. He was their best penalty-killer for his last 2 years with Ottawa and Lord knows they need improvement in that area.
We have an excellent penalty-killer named Grabner available to you.
I just wish there had been some way to get both Phaneuf AND Polak.
Why is that,George? Do you like Auston Matthews that much? Be careful what you wish for. Ask Doug Wilson about that.
Hey Lyle, what would it take to pry LW Valeri Nishushkin away from the Stars?
@Scott T
Way to swing for the fences but Dallas is heading to the playoffs and not likely to dump a promising 20 year old winger for a rental.
Haha. I know man. But the word is he’s available. He’s not a 20 goal guy. But down the road he will be.
Not sure if they’re willing to part with him or not. I’ve also heard rumors he could be available but I think they’re just listening and not actively shopping him.
i would like to see the Jets add something to Andrew Ladd to get a better player in return rather than a 1st and a decent prospect. I wonder if Chevy could pull off something like Ladd/2nd for Teurovainen or Shea Theodore etc
Ducks are very high on Shea Theodore… I doubt he’s even in the discussion to be moved. Also, why would the Hawks move Teravainen? Isn’t he also a promising young player. The Hawks are going to need Teravainen as he’s still under contract and not an RFA until after next season. Hawks are close to the cap ceiling, so I see Teravainen staying. Also, side note… if Ladd is going to go to a contender like Anaheim or the Hawks and those teams are prepared to move a better player like you mentioned, it would be for far more than Ladd/2nd round pick. Ladd is simply a rental at this point unless they work something else into the deal… and I don’t think either the Hawks or Ducks have any plans on signing him in the off season. Just my input/opinion though.
– I’ve made the same arguments about Boston moving Eriksson, I’d love to see the Bruins get back a talented young player like a Theodore, Fowler, Trouba, ect. but I think it’s going to take a sign and trade, or an Eriksson, 1st round, prospect, or work in another conditional pick if the team signs the player, ect… if that’s something they can do. It’s going to take a package. Same for Ladd, he’s good don’t get me wrong but I’d rather trade for Eriksson over Ladd in a heartbeat… if we’re talking about going to a contender and needing an impact player. Eriksson has been tearing it up this year, consistent, PP goals, GWG, ect… 2-way player, IMO he gets you more value than Ladd at this point and even Eriksson and a 1st I doubt gets you someone like Theodore, ect.
Bruins have no choice but to trade Eriksson because they can’t sign him at what he’s asking for ( 5-6 years & $5+ mil per ) they are to far apart….possible they can expand a trade offer with Eriksson and a pick to get themselves a young good DMan, if not they will have to settle for a low #1 draft pick
What if no 1’s offering a 1st for Eriksson? There are rumors floating around that no 1 wants to pay Boston a 1st & these are all teams that will be picking in the bottom 3rd of the 1st round.
Do you still trade him for less or just keep him as your own playoff rental.
This team is owned by the Jacobs and their in the profit business. Every home gate is 3 million plus in gross profit.
if he stays with Boston and they get into the playoffs it’s probably likely they are one series and done since they have only beaten I believe only 2 teams that are playoff bound (as of now) since the break..I would go the package route and try to trade him & a pick possible a 1st rd to a team that has D depth
I still can’t see teams not willing to drop a 1st round pick for Eriksson. Even if it’s simply a 1st and no extras. People have speculated Ladd will net a huge return at the deadline… Eriksson is every bit a Ladd and to this point in the season has been a MUCH better player, emphasis on the MUCH. Eriksson is continually putting up points, PP goals, GWG, and has been a bode of consistency.
This season (both UFA and 30):
Andrew Ladd – 6’3 200lb
16 goals 17 assists -10, 7 PP goals, 2 GWG
Loui Eriksson – 6’2 183lb
23 goals 25 assists +12, 8 PP goals, 5 GWG
I know we’ve all had the conversation that Ladd brings other intangibles but lets be honest… Eriksson does as well, he’s a fabulous 2-way winger, certainly a leader on the ice, plenty of experience. Has had a slightly more consistent career to this point as well, IMO. If I’m interested as a contender at acquiring a winger and I’m looking at someone like A. Ladd, I’m definitely calling Boston first about Eriksson. I’d take Eriksson in a heartbeat over Ladd. If I’m making a run at the cup, I want the most consistent player this year who’s going to have the biggest impact. Some of you have said Ladd could probably use a change of scenery and that could help him bounce back… but why take the chance when you can acquire someone who is already better THIS SEASON. 1st round pick for either player, I’m giving up the 1st for Eriksson over Ladd.
According to some of the so called experts the only 1st potentially on the board so far is for Ladd. Lots of time for that to change & you know I agree with you.
I’m just asking what if a 1st or a decent prospect isn’t available. Do you do the deal regardless for what ever is available?
Agree with Joe that the Bruins are not a true contender. There is always the goalie standing on his head possibility, but unlikely. They have had a soft schedule in Feb and it gets tough in March and April. They should make it if they stand pat in the 8 seed as I can’t see NJ lighting it up either. So I understand why they likely will stand pat.
Eriksson is for sure worth a first, I would expect that Sweeney is asking for more with the hope that somebody bites. Otherwise why trade him when you are in a playoff spot. You then have a group of pissed off players.
Still think off season will not be that lucrative for UFA’s, the Forex is hurting the NHL big time. If I was a betting man the cap stays flat or shrinks.
Takes a lot of teams out of the market. Eriksson may still be a Bruin next year, just at more reasonable terms.
Striker,
So hypothetical then… no 1st or A level prospect. In that case I’d still look at acquiring the best available package up until the deadline. Could Eriksson potentially get you a #4 defenseman with another year left on the contract. Possibly a player who’s still 25-28 years old, and a solid stay at home defenseman instead of another puck mover. Do any contenders who are looking for a winger have a #4 defenseman who they can afford to move and maybe someone is waiting in the rear to move up a slot. Just a thought. If teams aren’t looking to move 1st rd picks and higher end prospects… then I’m not sure contenders or teams in the playoff race are going to be improving their teams drastically or adding impact type players. IMO impact type players are Boedker, Eriksson, Ladd, Versteeg, Staal, ect. those players are what comes to mind. Those players though are going to garner solid returns. I know E. Staal has had a down year but if Polak just brought back two 2nd round picks (later drafts though and had to take a contract back) I would think Staal is going to get you more than a 2nd round pick to have him on your playoff team.
As you know I support moving Eriksson if unsigned by the deadline. Now that it appears the return may not be satisfactory & I want at least a 1st otherwise I say keep him & roll the dice. He’s your deadline acquisition if you prefer.
A UFA isn’t getting you a top 4 Dman just hitting his prime between 25 & 28. No playoff bound team can afford to move 1 of their top 4 heading into the playoffs with the possible exception of Anaheim. Adding a solid pick won’t get it done with Anaheim today. Murray won’t alter that D significantly heading into the playoffs. It takes a ton of time for your top pairings to get comfortable playing with their respective partners. Now if it’s a sign & trade or trade & sign with futures attached it’s not impossible just unlikely. Murray has shown a pattern & maybe he shocks us but his hard choices will be made in the off season.
If Murray really hasn’t figured out if he’s a buyer or a seller yet, maybe he’s not the type of person you want as a GM.
Don’t worry about Garroch. He isn’t the most credible source. Decent writer & articles can be entertaining. Ottawa has virtually nothing to trade. Weircioch might return a late 3rd, he has been waved once in his career already & passed over. Neil might get you a 3rd but after that isn’t pretty barren.
Ottawa won’t move Prince. Why Cameron won’t play him regularly considering the new fancy stats love this player is odd but he has a future as a 3rd line winger that can fill in on the 2nd line when injures dictate. Not the greatest skater but like many seems to be able to over come it & still be effective.
Ottawa is 6 points out of a playoff spot & Pittsburgh has 2 games in hand. With only 22 games remaining for Ottawa it would take a miracle for Ottawa to make the playoffs.
I could see Murray wanting to add Drouin. Fills a great need at LW long term at a low cap hit currently with contract control but the cost would be significant. TB wants a D man apparently & I just don’t see Ottawa giving up Chabot. Unless Murray budges off that Drouin will be moved else where.
Unfortunately Ottawa has an internal cap & the cap hit savings of Michalek, Greening & Cowen are being spent on Phaneuf & soon to be Hoffman.
Melnyk won’t allow Murray to spend to the ceiling. No where near it. George hates it but what you see is what you get unless it’s a player on his ELC or bridge deal at reasonable monies & to get that player you have to give up essentially the same asset.
In case I wasn’t clear & to make sure Shticky understands my position clearly. Let me make myself totally clear.
SJ needed an anchor for their #3 defensive pairing, & they need help on the penalty kill which currently ranks 21st overall in the NHL. They needed help in the face off circle as Tierny at #4 isn’t winning enough draws consistently & they needed to achieve both these things with limited cap space with out seriously altering the make up of the top 3 forward lines or top 2 defensive pairings.
Polak & Spaling address all these needs. Both are great penalty killers & moving out Torres this got the additions in under the cap adding 2.95 in annual cap hit. Spaling will play as a LW with Tierny but take most of the draws especially in the defensive zone.
Now just to qualify, as unless SJ wins the cup or God forbid can’t make it out of the 1st round Shticky will be all over me saying see. Getting by LA, Anh or Chi in a 7 game series is no easy feat for any team. SJ has the misfortune of playing in the West where there are numerous power houses & I haven’t even touched on StL. If you have the misfortune to draw any of these teams in round 1 your virtual doomed & it just gets harder & harder with each advancing series in the West. Any of these 5 teams beats most of the teams in the East in a 7 game series with the exception of Washington.
Polak & Spaling help SJ’s cause but aren’t necessarily giving them any better chance of beating 3 of the 4 best teams in the NHL in LA, CHI & Anh come the playoffs. That’s just life but at least their trying.
Getting these 2 assets for what will be late 2nd rounders 2 & 3 drafts into the future is fabulous value. Polak didn’t move for 2 2nd’s, Spaling was part of that deal & he will play a regular supporting role on the 4th line, again helping the penalty kill & in the faceoff circle.
Really insightful comment, particularly on Spaling’s contribution who I think most of us saw as being near-worthless.