Quote:
Originally Posted by Table 5
Know thyself.
Gaudreau is a Kane, a Kessel, a Panarin, a Fleury, a Kariya. Not guys who lead the charge, but guys who play the role of pure raw talent. You need them because they break games open, not because they can play a complete game.
However, you also need a Toews, a Francis, an Sakic...guys who can play a complete game, and lead the way in a more traditional sense. I'm not sure we really have that right now.
Damn it Bennett, this should've been you!
This is also why we need a general for a coach. We lack leadership in the locker room and thus need it behind the bench.
|
These are my sentiments as well.
Gaudreau isn't the elite 2 way C, but he is definitely one of the key pieces you need to build a winner.
We still need that elite C. Can Monahan be that? Maybe, but I would be much more willing to make a trade involving Manahan, than involving Gaudreau.
We were sure that, between Monahan and Bennett, we had our 1-2 punch at C. So far, that isn't the case, and doesn't look like it is going to be. Which leads me to...
While I am not keen on trading any of the young core, if I did, I would start with Hamilton. Not because I dislike his play or think he isn't motivated, but for the following two reasons:
1) he is the asset that could get us a top level C (and we need another one)
2) we have way more top prospects at D than at any other position
I think the most important thing is a new coaching staff that can motivate and properly utilize the players and the type of talent that they have. But if we're going to mix it up with a trade of a core player, I look to trade Hamilton for a #1 C. Then I look to sign a winger.
Then I hope to God that 1 or 2 of the D prospects take a big leap forward.