Quoting: gmgb
Even if CAR mismanages the asset and only gets two years out of PLD, that still doesn't make him a rental.
Most of CAR's centers can also play wing, so too many centers doesn't seem like much of an issue. Plus, they're giving up two in this proposal, and only getting one back anyway. One of CAR's problems is they only have one top six center right now. This trade would give them an upgrade at 2C, instead of hoping one of Necas or Kotkaniemi make some big strides.
Rarely trading for rentals in the past 20 years, when CAR was out of the playoffs more often than not, isn't the flex you think it is.
Ultimately, it's not an ideal return for WPG. They should focus on trying to get a return with fewer but better pieces coming back.
First of all, the Canes don’t “mismanage” assets. If PLD is only wanting a 1 year deal so he can hit the market, it doesn’t matter what the Canes do if he is just going to walk anyway. And yes, if you are dead set on leaving as soon as you hit UFA, you are a rental, regardless if it’s 1 year or 2.
Yes, most of the Canes C can play wing, but that doesn’t mean that they should. Aho was developed as a wing until he was mature enough for the 1C role. KK can play wing, but he is much better suited for a C role, and didn’t work out that well on the wings. Staal is a C, through and through, and Brind’amour won’t play him on the wing until someone comes along and becomes better at Staal’s role than Staal. Management and Brind’amour are both content to let KK have the 2C role, with Necas and Stastny being the available safety blankets. Most people don’t know this because they spend too much time hating on KK, but when he was thrown into the 2C role during the Canes Covid stretch, he scored at about a 1.5 P/PG pace. Canes aren’t worried about KK, and it’s not like PLD is a complete upgrade. Career high of 61 points and inconsistent at best defensively, not to mention the high unlikelihood he would remain in Carolina since he will almost certainly sign a 1 year to walk to UFA, Canes are happy to rock what they currently have.
I wasn’t saying that rarely trading for rentals was a flex. I was merely pointing out the Canes don’t pay rental prices, leading them not to trade for rentals that much.
Winnipeg would be smart to take the best offer they can since, again, the likelihood PLD becomes at best, if he is traded this off-season, a 2 year rental. Every other team in the league would be smart to just wait an extra year to see if they can land him in UFA. And some teams, like the Canes, will have no interest in PLD whatsoever.
Cheers and have a nice night.