Quote:
Originally Posted by IgiTang
Am I the only one that would like to keep Smid and Engalland?
I think Smid has looked great in every game he has played. I'm confused why he doesn't get more games.
Wideman and to a lesser extent Russell have been turn over machines. But at least Russell doesn't get caught out of position that often and still brings the best of shot blocking in league.
Gio-Brodie
Smid-Hamilton
Russell-Engalland
Is a group I could handle after the deadline.
Keep your 6 and 7th spots open to start cycling the farm through.
Move Wideman for a pick and still have some beef and guys who can clear the front of the net.
Of course if Smid was required to be involved to make a trade work that brings us a stud, or if you can get a decent prospect back, move him.
But just to dump him, I don't see the sense in it.
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Right now, Russell is the most valuable trade piece we have. A pending UFA, and his contract is going to be microscopic at the deadline. There should be a line of contenders who want to add a fringe top-4 defenseman who basically doesn't have a salary cap hit.
Last year, the Blackhawks had to run Kimmo Timmonen out there for sometimes as few as five minutes a night. The loss of Michael Roszival was a huge issue for them, so much so Trevor "No meaningful hockey in six months" Van Riemsdyk was playing in game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals. Imagine what they would have given to be able to bring a player like Russell up from the 3rd pair.
I don't think two 2nd round picks is unreasonable for Russell, and it wouldn't surprise me if Treliving manages to parlay him into a late 1st from someone. You can never have enough D in the playoffs.
Russell/Wideman and Smid/Engelland are also a bit analogous of one another. Russell and Wideman are both offensively gifted, defensively meh, 3rd pairing D who can step up and play top 4 if you really need them to. If we assumed a raise to $4.5M for Russell, the difference in salary is only $750k. Not chump change, but for the same role, it's pretty much a wash.
Smid and Engelland are the same big, clunky, physical 3rd pairing D who bring next to no offense, and don't make great breakout passes. But they're warriors and I'm sure everyone in the room adores both. Engelland makes $2.9M, Smid $3.5M. Just like Wideman/Russell, the difference in salary pretty minor.
There is room on the team for one of each. Not both. Wideman is under contract for another year, Russell has more value on the open market. Since they fill pretty much the same role in a perfect world, trade Russell, keep Wideman where he is.
Of Engelland/Smid, I would prefer to keep Engelland - he doesn't have Smid's injury history, he has a year less on his deal, his buyout is cheaper, and he was photographed doing this.
I still don't think any of the four will be here in 18 months.