Quoting: zreich4
Have to disagree about GMBG. I don’t think we are set up that bad still. I wasn’t a fan of either the Staal or Kunin trades but they were more lateral than anything. We are set up fine for a 4-4 protection and if we move Dumba we can go 7-3 and protect everyone. We also have a ton of money coming off the books after this season. I see this season as a wash and it should be treated that way. Get past the expansion draft and than load up with Fiala, Ek, and Kaprisov all on new deals and Rossi ready for the show. Plus we should have some money to play with still.
MarJo is a huge downgrade from Staal. One is a quality center the other is a bottom-6 wing. The team has been screaming for competent centers and has been forever.
Bonino is a downgrade from Kunin as a player. He can win FOs and thats about it.
MN was fine before with a 4-4 expansion draft. The would have lost one of Kunin, Greenway, Soucy, or Donato. No big deal, they still have the other 3. Now they've already lost 2 of those players, and will lose one of Greenway or Soucy. So that is 3 young players gone for 2 x 3rds, and a 2nd + whatever Bonino gets in trade (if he's traded).
FFS JEE is leading the team in goals, and Greenway is leading the team in points from the 3rd line. Fiala and Kaprizov have been playing on a lines by themselves in the o-zone. Strum might be the 2nd best center on the team.
Would you trade Kunin + Greenway + Donato/Soucy + 4th for 2 x 3rds and a 2nd, maybe add another late 2nd (at best for Bonino)?
Staal > MarJo (both rentals, Staal makes a lot less)
Koivu (re-signed for cheap) = Bonino (both rentals, Koivu makes a lot less)
Kunin > Bjugstad (roughly the same cap hit)
Donato > 3rd (for roster purposes) As an added bonus Hunt wouldn't be playing FWD and Rask (decent this year) would be the pressbox FWD.
The PP would better and more balanced; which is not hard to say when it's scoring at a 5.6% rate. Last year it was 21.3% and that was without Kaprizov.