Quoting: Ohvee
Wait... so Panarin can get close to 100 points with Ryan Strome and you're saying Kuzy is a downgrade?... He has unbelievable puck handling skills and an is an amazing two way player in my opinion. He and Panarin on the same line would be unstoppable. It is no surprise either than Panarin playing with another Russian on his line communicating and playing a similar game together would up his production even more. Ziba and Panarin don't play together because their play styles are virtually incompatible and I think it would be a superstar bottleneck. I agree that this deal favors the Caps but only because of what a good deal the Rangers are getting on Ziba. How do you like my edit? I dropped Fox in the deal, added a first rounder and traded Jensen for Jokiharju?
Kuzy is by no means a downgrade from Strome. What I meant by that comment is that I don't see Kuzy having that big of an effect towards Panarin's numbers, but rather I'd see Panarin's presence having a much greater influence in Kuznetsov's numbers. Panarin's probably the best of his position in the entire league, so it doesn't really matter who he's playing with. He'll produce even by himself if necessary.
As for the trades, I'm not a fan. NYR has no reason to move Zibanejad. The reason why NYR doesn't use Ziba and Panarin in the same line is because both can produce accordingly without each other's presence, but with Kuzy I don't see that to be the case. Kuzy would fill the Strome's place, but he absolutely wouldn't fill the hole moving Zibanejad would create.
Adding to the pile the $2,5M cap difference which isn't ideal for NYR as they also need cap room, I don't think this deal would come to fruition. It doesn't benefit NYR enough.
As for the Jensen for Jokiharju swap, it's an easy no from BUF. Jokiharju's their best RHD in terms of value, and it's only a matter of time before that holds water in terms of level as well. To put it exaggeratedly, it's more or less equivalent of BUF offering Girgensons in exchange to McMichael.