Quoting: Black61
You are so far off base.
Enforcers who actually can play hockey are literally some of the most highly sought after players in the nhl.
He isnt some fringe goon he is in the top echelon of his age group (literally the 6th youngest nhl dman this year)
He is easily worth more than turcotte at this point
In Free Agency , you're 100% correct they are.
Via Trade you're 100% wrong , they arent in terms of Value.
I mean sure every GM wants one for sure
But they rarely pay 1st round picks unless they're best in the league multiple years and a good player like Reaves.
A Ryan Reaves is a once every 5-10 years type player though and the majority of tough guys you see traded arent for much.
Why? because during Free Agency's they can pick their number and get paid for it no issues.
But then their Contract becomes what often lowers or completely negates their Value.
My favorite example is Milan Lucic who is a player a lot of teams wanted the past few years but his contract kept them all away.
Next year as a UFA he'll be smart and sign to a contender for a pittance of a deal with 1 year term to try to make up for all the years he's wasted going from top contenders to pretenders.
My point is Value from a Business POV is what i explained to you.
Interms of Value in the Depth Chart in the short term yes Xhekaj is better then Turcotte.
But Xhekaj's longterm potential is worth less then Turcotte's at this point.
My point is next year when Tankings no longer the goal its unlikely Xhekaj will fill a role outside the same one Pezetta does.
Pezzetta and Xhekaj will be brought in when needed as they occupy the 7thD/13th Forward roles.
But the chemistry of Beaudin-Barron on PP all but ensure's they'lly get play given our PP issues.
That pushes Xhekaj out of regular status even if we trade Eddy