Quoting: justaBoss
Historically Nill is a GM dealing with picks over prospects, should he strengthen the team. He will never trade one of our top prospects like Bourque to B tier strengthening whose best assets are in PP, which is far from Stars' biggest weakness. I'd understand him being after Hoffman if he was in similar situation like for instance Zuccarello was, with one year left, trading some (now banned) conditional picks for him.
Also Dobby is stuck in AHL if no one claims him off waivers. With Bishop retiring we don't have an urgent need to shed that contract.
Still $2.5 million on the ole cap hit.
OK, I like expiring contracts as much as the next guy.
But Nill's acquisition of Zucc was a 2nd and a 3rd. If we use that as a basis on Hoffman, whose production is similar, then the proposed deal is pretty bang on.
I get not wanting to move a top prospect. Who does? But it's the saying, "gotta pay to play".
Any real upgrade Nill is going to try and get (and we both know he likely does), Dobby will likely be involved to clear that space in one fashion or another, which if Nill is only willing to move picks, is going to be more damaging than moving a pick and prospect.
Now honestly, I was dancing around either Bourque or Harley..... either or fits the Habs needs. And we can argue in moving Harley, the Stars are dealing a bit more from a position of strength.