Quote:
Originally Posted by Hackey
Is it? You could actually comment on why you think so.
Everyone knows the core needs a shake up and it's yet to happen. It's been a long time coming.
In order to keep Johnny you're going to have to pay big money and I'm definitely concerned if he is worth that money. I don't see him as an elite forward that can carry a team. Due to his size I feel he is much easier to shut down in the playoffs. Those seem like real and legit concerns.
Tkachuk is another guy who is a secondary player in my eyes. Can we afford to give him a huge contract? If Tkachuk is in the 50-60 pts range and we're paying 9 million he better be bringing a ton of intangibles.
And Monahan is always hurt and he is soft. He's not a number 1 centre.
These 3 are going to be the ones leading your team? That is NOT an elite core. These seem like very legitimate concerns.
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I keep reading the bolded all over this board, or similar sentiments and wonder where this is coming from.
Just purely from an offensive standpoint its just not true.
Once again...since Matthew Tkachuk was drafted into the NHL
he is 44th in the entire league in points.
He is 6th at his position in the entire league in points (Marchand, Panarin, Ovechkin, Gaudreau and Huberdeau the only guys ahead of him)
His 82 game pt average is 65 pts and that was with 2nd line minutes and one very down season.
Then you add in his intangibles and you have yourself a hell of a hockey player.
So maybe he is not worth 9M a year but he also is not getting paid long term that and is unlikely to get that much from anyone in FA.
But to say he isn't elite, at least at his position, is simply wrong unless elite is reserved for only those at the top of every single category.
These are the kind of guys you try to find in every draft or in any trade. They cost an absolute fortune in free agency.
He is a guy you build around and add to, not a guy you look to move unless you are getting an absolute haul back or starting a complete scorched earth rebuild (which this club is not in any way trying to do at this point)