why would boston do that? lmao

Boston does not need middle 6 centers. They have plenty. They need cap space.

With the loss of Bergeron (maybe) they need a center and a two way at that. Not to mention they get a potential middle 6 winger and a 2nd on top of that.

Barzal should be a center, his skillset is not suited for wing

Hawks say right year, but wrong picks. Bailey deal takes the '25 2nd.

You're right, they would need a 1st or a 2nd line center and Pageau isn't either. Also, you'd like a player on a good contract.

Boston doesn't have the room to take back $6mm and Hall is not a good value at $6mm for the 18-20 goals he scores. Staal is a free agent but he's the captain for the 'Canes....I can't see them walking away from each other, especially after getting as far as they've gotten in the playoffs.

I do somewhat agree but we haven’t seen a full season of Barzal on the wing. Lou did screw up badly when he got Horvat instead of an elite winger for Barzal.

The most similar skaters + puck handling skills to barzal are Mcdavid , Mackinnon , and Hughes. All of them have added elite goal scoring ability which is what separates them from barzal. But that skating + puck handling ability is best utilized at center.

Lou couldn’t even get a center that can help barzal transition the puck. Just a terrible fit all around.

Putting barzal at wing has the potential to be catastrophic because it’s just not his game and making the isles best skater less dynamic isn’t the way to go