Quoting: Shylo_Moxii
not quite. what did tkachuk get? Debrincat? Fiala? Rakell? Lehkonen? Market for a cheaper winger is not what you say it is and while yes market for a center can be very much a more value spot. Barzal played the same amount of games and had a dozen less points so as of last year production wise Buch making less was consider more valuable. Try again to "inflict market stats to try and justify bending Stl over. not going to work.
I mean, Buch is not on the level of Tkachuk & deBrincat. Call me back when he's had multiple 40 goal seasons or broken 100 points.
Fiala got a mid/late 1st (19th OA) and a D prospect who profiles as a middle pair guy.
Rakell got a 2nd rounder, a mid-tier goalie prospect, and a couple of warm bodies to offset the cap hit.
Lehkonen got a 2nd rounder 3 drafts away and a D prospect who profiles as a middle pair guy.
Based on the comps you brought to the table, I'd say a pair of 2nds, a slightly older D prospect who profiles as #4/5, and a winger with middle-6 upside is more or less in line value-wise.