Quoting: nodog69
Texier is playing and excelling in Liiga, and Garvikov is doing the same in the KHL, he could step in next year and become the LHD they've been looking for. Not top pairing but a top 4. I love the way the Habs have played this year, but Tatar is having a career year and selling now that Dzingel and Duchane are off the market is smart imo. Maybe a richer deal with different prospects/picks/roster player, but getting a younger asset is the right move for the future.
My asking price for Tatar earlier was, from Dallas:
- Jason Robertson, a 2nd, and a 3rd round pick.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=187397
Instead, Dallas chose to give up a conditional 2nd (which could become a 1st), and a conditional 3rd (which will become a 1st if they re-sign Zuccarello). So potentially a 2nd (or a 1st) and a 3rd for a rental, or a 2nd (or a 1st) and a 1st for resigning a 31 year old.
My asking price for Benn was, from Washington:
- A 2nd round pick.
Instead WSH acquired Jensen and a 5th for Bowey (a former 2nd round pick now NHL dman) and a 2nd.
So honestly I think both teams could have arguably done better with my asking prices, but that is up for debate.
The point is my return would have been:
Robertson, two 2nd round picks, and a 3rd. Which I think is a lot better than Texier and a decent dman in the KHL. Do you remember darren dietz? He is lighting up the KHL right now, Gravikov isn't making much noise.
Regardless I've since changed my mind about trading Tatar and Benn, they are too important to this team right now. Tatar is a gmae changer offensively and Benn is a solid 3rd pair guy, who might even re-sign with the habs.
Edit:
By the way, ylonen is having a better rookie season in the liiga than texier, so why exactly do we need Texier? Tatar is already a top 6 NHL forward. Texier is not guaranteed to be one. Lehkonen had great numbers in the Liiga as well and he is currently a 4th liner.