Not sure why the most recent stats comparing Gaudreau with Couturier would be the only relevant ones. They are based on playing with a centre who I believe has been suffering from an injury for the entire year (not just 20 games) and a right winger (prior to forming the Gaudreau/Lindholm/Tkachuk line) who wouldn't even make the lineup of most NHL teams. Not sure that Couturier would have done any better in those circumstances.
Bottom line, you won't be able to replace Gaudreau's scoring with any other player at anywhere near the same AAV. At the same time, with the flat cap and most teams being capped out as it is, I don't see his AAV increasing as much in the next contract as most people think. I say make him a reasonable 4-5 year offer on July 1, and trade him if he says no.
|