These Barzal signings never make sense to me. I need some perspective from NYI fans. I get that his stats are not great, but I have always thought that is a system thing. My understanding has always been that he would get 90+ on other teams that push play like Toronto or Colorado. In that case I've always thought his number for six years is 9.5+ (maybe more being that he is a C). And if it's a 3 year bridge, it's probably 7.5+.

It's not the trade value is off with Detroit. It's a problem of organizational fit.

RHD: (2019 1st rounder) Seider, (2016 2nd & current 1st pair RHD) Hronek, (2017 2nd) Lindstrom, (2019 2nd) Antti Tuomisto, (2020 2nd) William Wallinder, (2020 3rd) Donovan Sebrango, or (2020 3rd) Eemil Viro. Plus the 2021 loaded defensive draft class (where the Wings will pick in the top 8 almost guaranteed).

I don't think Boychuk would be happy as a 3rd pair/ healthy scratch on a rebuilding team.

You're correct it is a system thing, but your numbers are based on pre-pandemic times. With a flat cap nobody's throwing around that type of money. Ignore the Pietrangelo signing while pretty good short term by the time that contracts up they'll be kicking themselves in the ass paying a 37 year old 8.8 million. Nobody's going to want to take that contract off their hands and look at what they had to move just fit him under the cap. A nice team friendly bridge with Barzal is a smart move. In 3 years the cap will go up again and most of the players wasting cap space will either be gone or their NTC will be up and they can moved. Then Barzal will get the numbers you're talking about. Of course I'm just guessing I'm thinking Lou's lost his mind after trading Toews. If the rumors are true Greene better sign for league minimum otherwise the deal was pointless.

+ Troy Stetcher

I’d ask for more if I was Yzerman, we are seeing how critical cap space is with Schmidt going for a third round pick and Toews two second rounders.