Quoting: LoganOllivier
No way man, Kapanen and Zaitsev are combined more valuable than Pesce and Ferland is just a rental. I think this is a short sighted move.
I disagree. I think Pesce and Kapanen are close to even value.
Both players currently in secondary roles on their team's simply due to talent above them. Both have shown signs of promise that they can provide more if given more responsibility.
You have the argument that wingers are less valuable than defencemen...but in this case...Kapanen is currently cheaper and will likely re-sign for less than what Pesce is signed for. He can score, skate and PK with the best of them.
Pesce is a 20pt d-man...it's not exactly inspiring...and I don't think it's fair to expect more than 30-35pt production from him in the future...but he's terrific defensively and can skate well for his size and can move the puck well. He logs 20min a game and can PK and provide a decent shot on the PP.
If we put both up against a wall and did a school yard pick...who would go first? Realistically...a team that needs offence takes Kap first and a team that needs a shut down d-man takes Pesce first. I will say that I think Pesce's value got super inflated on this website when eager-beaver leaf fans were willing to package a 1st, Liljegren and Kapanen for any RH shooting d-man that could play 20min. On most teams, Pesce is best suited on the 2nd pairing...on the leafs...he'd likely be elevated to first line duties beside Rielly...a tandem I think would be very similar to Kane-Seabrook back during Chicago's runs.
If I really had to choose...I'd say Kapanen has a bit more value...but the trade offer as a whole? Moving Zaitsev out and bringing Ferland in? That makes this trade offer a very attractive one for the leafs while filling holes on each team