[djsFlames]

Won't be a player of this caliber at this position at the eventual price tag that lands him for quite some time.

Of course grabbing more middle six players is easier to do, and safer.

But low risk means low reward. The upside here is the potential to compete in the west if the health side pans out, as well as the chance to successfully retool on the fly and not have to rebuild from the foundation. B/C options simply don't move the needle in the same way.

Its not merely because of what he adds, but how he will make Gaudreau better (taking some pressure off of him and giving him an elite talent to work with), and slot the centers much more appropriately, improving the second line in the process.