Quoting: exo2769
I said 2021 1st. Which would be late because CAR has a really good team. Nothing to do with any TOR pick.
Lorentz is 24 years old. (give it a few days). I can understand that every player develops at their own pace, but every system has these players. Heck the Blackhawks have Dylan Sikura. Maybe a swap can be had for a "change of scenery" type move, but his value is 4th/5th rounder...tops. His single best use is going to stay in the AHL and help other players learn the ropes. You're overestimating your prospect right now. He's by literal definition...nothing special at all.
Puistola...You're basing this off 1 tournament. The biggest plus he has that he's 19. I agree he's the best piece, but you're looking for a TRUE #2C.
Saku is 25...and left for the KHL where is 9 points in 26 games isn't impressive at all. He's a career KHLer/AHLer. It's exactly what I said.
The 1st might not be late by the pure blood bath that is the metro. Nothing is certain in a divison that features 7 teams aiming for playoff hockey.
Lorentz had been slow developing, 100% agree, but he just exploded in the AHL. His best use is being given NHL ice time and using a 6'4 frame and a nice scoring touch to try to become an NHL player. Defenceman and power forwards often take longer to develop. This is not new to anyone. He is going to be in the NHL somewhere next year. Is he a deal breaker? No, obviously not. But he's still looking to be a very good player.
Puistola isn't based off 1 tournament. He was a PPG in the 2nd tier of Finnish hockey. He also has put up respectable totals in a mens league aged 19. When the leagues all got stopped due to the coronavirus outbreak he was hot. Not to mention he's been bounced around like a stripper at a bachelor party. He's looking better and better when he's put against his own age group. all he has to do is stay better than his age group and he'll be a hell of a player.
Maenalanen is 25, he held out because he didn't want to play for the Predators, you can't hold his age against him here. When he came across he had great stats all over the NHL, speaking analytically. He went to Jokerit when it was clear he was going to be an extra forward for Carolina again. He had proved himself and knew he wasn't gonna get the ice time. As for 9 points in 26 games, he's been killed by an injury this season. He's also likely had trouble adjusting to the smaller ice surface again. He's not an AHLer, or a KHLer. He has proven himself at the NHL level. He holds positive value. Is he the most important piece in this trade? No, not by a long shot. But he'd be a nice middle 6 winger for chicago.