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Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
The thing is he's kind of Bennett-ish. Underwhelms in the regular season and looks like he's a career bottom 6 guy, but then in the playoffs he's suddenly a different player. Florida seems to like how that's worked out with Sam.
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Sorta. Jesperi's regular season PPG is .36 and his playoff PPG is .41. So his improved performance is not huge. And Florida managed to get Sam under contract with, what I think is, manageable risk. This contract seems to entirely hinge on the belief that Montreal has been holding Jesperi back. Which if true - will be smart. But I always felt he was a guy that tracked more to a middle 6 centre, and was elevated in the draft because a team really liked him and really wanted to draft a centre.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague
I'm on the fence overall. Obviously if the Habs match you're no better or worse off, but if they don't, this is a gamble on a) fit for Kotkaniemi (they bet he takes a step forward and looks like a good middle six C) and b) the first rounder (they bet they make the playoffs and do well enough that it's not top 15). Not sure I love those bets. From Montreal's perspective, unless they get a miraculously good outcome with the 1st rounder, either decision is a bad outcome. But they just went to the SCF, so they have a bit of a honeymoon period here if they let him walk and fall out of the playoffs this season (not that I think Kotkaniemi is what's keeping them in the playoffs - just that Bergevin & co. have some breathing room for a poor season / moves that would ordinarily piss off the fans).
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I think the Canes are a good enough squad so the pick will be middle to late, but as we know all too well - it is uncomfortable being in position where you have no protection against that first.
As a trade a midd to late 1st + 3rd isn't bad. It's the contract going forward that I think isn't great. But let's say they sign a long-term deal for 5*5.5 - I suppose for a middle 6 centre that is probably about right.