Quoting: Jiannuccilli
Yeah I honestly wasn’t too sure what the value on tarasenko would be, he’s still been elite when on the ice but injuries have plagued him the last 2 years. I might’ve overpaid but when making a team I’d prefer to overpay than underpay on a guy.
I’d argue that the D and 4th line in this would be pretty good, lazar was the life of the 4th line and Kuhlman looked effective when he played, the question mark is Frederic.
For the defense, Merrill analytically was in the 99th percentile for even strength defense last year, they were missing a true left handed shutdown defensemen and I think he can greatly fill that need. bringing Reilly back is a must, he fit perfectly with carlo.
I was kinda going back and forth on ritchie. He had a decent regular season, I think getting him back for 2.3 could be a bargain, but worst case scenario it’s only a 2 year deal so they could find a way to move him next offseason. 1x2.3 for a bottom 6 forward shouldn’t be hard to find a taker
On Tarasenko: I get that, but i mean, he’s a sniper that’s scored 7 goals in the last two seasons. That’s just tough to put much value on. If STL wanted to grab a first rounder and move on from him, I think it’s an interesting concept. If they want to eat 50%, and go for real value, I also think it’s an interesting concept.
4th line: that 4th line stinks out loud, and it’s mostly because of Kuhlman. I just don’t see the appeal, and he definitely isn’t a LW. Bring back Kuraly. Simple, easy, effective.
D: don’t care about the analytics when it comes to d men. Literally zero. That D is thin, and still lacks the shut down guy. Reilly would be better suited for third pair (and that contract is too much). You could find better than Merrill, and then throw them up with Carlo.
Ritchie is not an NHL hockey player. He is flat out horrible. Whats worse, he’s lazy. Lazy players can’t be counted on to buy into the system. It was a major lapse of judgment to dress him in the playoffs, and it may have cost them a chance to play against tampa. Don’t qualify, don’t mess with him, just see ya later. I would be pissed if they brought him back at league min.