Sorry for the long answer but here goes. I say you sign Tatar and here is why. People keep complaining he is not producing. He is a good car, it's just that two nicer cars pulled up named Toffoli and Anderson. But over a regular full season Tatar is on pace to score 25 goals, which is pretty much what he has consistently given over the course of his career. It is not his doing that both Toffoli and Anderson are on a clip of a 57 goal season. So I say sign him and put him on your left side with Drouin and Toffoli as the other producing left wingers.

As for Danault, this is where it gets even more interesting. So Danault was the 1st line C for 3 full seasons and the most goals he gave you was 13. He is at 52% on his faceoff's and he kills penalties. One player that so many are neglecting or do not see him as much more that what they think he is, is Evans. Evans face off's are at 51% and his goal total pro-rated over a full season is 12.65 goals. Exactly what Danault has given you for 3 years. He also plays a 200 foot game and kills penalties exceptionally well. Now keep in mind he plays less than Danault. For example, in last nights game he played just over 9 minutes. If you were to give him a full season at 15 minutes per game with offensive wingers, you are not losing much between the two.

So, not to evade your valid question. I say re-sign Tatar and trade Danault. Most of the key players are signed long term with both KK and Suze needing new contracts in 1 & 2 yrs respectively. So I say trade Danault for good prospects and draft picks for 2023 as MTL has plenty of picks.

Possible top 9 forward lines for next season.

Dru-Suze-Andy
Toff-KK-Caufield or Armia
Tuna-Evans-Gally

A guy like Boone Jenner would be a great fit behind Suzuki and Kotkaniemi. He isn't carrying a huge cap hit and play a similar role then Danault. Brandon Sutter could be a cheaper option for next year as he become free agent. He have score 20 goal a couple of time, great on faceoff and on defensive attribution.

Would you take Jenner and Voronkov for an extended Danault?


I would have done 2021 first for Danault before the season but he hasn't exactly played that great this year

No if we don't get a 1st + 2nd + 3rd as a rental (extended would be much more look at Pageau deal from Sens) we may as well keep him and let him walk in FA.

Pageau extended = 1st + 2nd
Danault as a rental might be worth a 1st that’s it

Pageau was not extended when the Sens traded him to the Isles, was he? I think the Ilses extended him shortly after. The Ilses gave up 1st + 2nd + 3rd for Pageau and Danault is better than him.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/senators-trade-jean-gabriel-pageau-islanders/

No it was with an extension ( same with Stone, even if it took more time ) and the 3rd round pick was conditional if the Isles were winning the Stanley Cup, so it doesn’t count