Modifié 29 juin 2020 à 14 h 27
Quoting: mnwild1790
I think I read somewhere that he's thinking of signing a KHL contract. Not sure if I remember correctly or not, but if true his value isn't very high.
I think value wise Nico Sturm and a 5th is about right but this going to sound weird but I really want to see Sturm in a Wild sweater. He's never going to be a top 6 Center but he's young and projects as a good defensive center. He plays the kind of game we want to play and I think he'll be a nice, cheap option as a depth center for years to come. Obviously we could hit a home run with Borgstrom, but we're really thin at Center and Sturm might be the surest thing we have to a consistent NHL center. Obviously Khovanov's ceiling is astronomically higher than Sturm but it's hard to pass up a sure thing like Sturm. Especially when we're so thin at prospects to begin with.
Sorry for the very long explanation but I'd rather trade a lower wing prospect and a draft pick than Sturm.
I really like Sturm too, and he was a central fixture in the discussion that took place about the possibility of acquiring Borgstrom.
Both have merit. But realistically his days in Minnesota/Iowa could already be numbered. In the Wild's quest to find that elusive 1C we've amassed a fair number of middle six centers that effectively block Sturm from the NHL.
If we did manage to get one it all but guarantees Sturm never gets a chance to crack the NHL roster. So consider this, is that fair to Sturm? Or is it more fair to move Sturm and give him that legitimate shot to make the NHL, because he is a NHL'er. Realistically he should have cracked the roster this year, but couldn't because of the depth and log jam that we already have.
But that isn't the only reason why the Wild should consider moving Sturm for Borgstrom. Despite his issues Borgstrom is likely the better player which gives us added better depth. Not to mention he's also younger than Sturm. Then let's say Guerin makes a move for Cirelli. Gives Galchenyuk a 1 year prove it deal, buys out Rask, and have Staal for one final year.
You now have Staal, Cirelli, JEE, Galchenyuk and Borgstrom. That's much better depth.
Cirelli plays 2C for us the first year while further refining his craft under Staal and gets used to the new team and system. He takes over at 1C once Staal's contract is up.
Galchenyuk and Borgstrom rotate duties and we play them as needed until Staal is gone.
This ultimately means we have a guy who can play 1C, and then 3 guys who can all legitimately play 2C-4C, where they're able to move up and down the lines as needed, which makes this team deeper and a bottom six center unnecessary.
Then factor in the potential home run factor Borgstrom could bring and Khovanov in the system who knows how this team could look down the road.
I think it's worth a shot, and especially if that's the cost. It's a risk, certainly, but a calculated gamble that could payoff big time if we do it. If it doesn't, bottom six players are a dime a dozen and cheap to replace.