Quote:
Originally Posted by Elkyiv
Pressing forward with what we have will likely lead to similar outcomes.
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There are three likely outcomes if the Flames make a trade and we have to be careful in each of them.
1) Trading for Eichel and removing four players from the roster (three roster pieces in trade and Eichel being on the shelf) would lead to something much much worse. The depth we have been relying on to run teams over would be gone. We would have a roster built similarly to Edmonton's, but without the high octane scoring. That needs to be taken into consideration.
2) The other angle also has to look at futures. If you are going to have a really high priced first line, you need to fill your roster out with promising young players that can fill that skill gap. Otherwise you ARE the Edmonton Oilers and really have nothing to show for it but individual hardware for your overpriced stars. We're talking about giving up our best young players to bring Eichel in. That's not a good way to support that star player. Worse, you're screwed if one of those stars goes down, and then have an empty minor league system to back it up.
3) This is the combo. We may be able to trade for Eichel with a blend of assets, say two roster players, a prospect, and a high draft pick. This is probably preferable, but we have to make sure the right asset mix goes out the door and we can sustain the team now and in the future. This also likely means we are looking at a second trade where dump an expensive asset later in the season so we can add Eichel when he comes off IR. Timing on this is everything, as we are going to need that expensive body to get us to the point where Eichel matters this year. Not an easy task, and Eichel has to be back by trade deadline.
So we have to be very careful how the deal goes down. Handled poorly, it can really screw us over long term. Handled well it might work out for us. There is substantial risk involved and it is not an easy call. Glad my job isn't on the line in making the decision, because if it doesn't go perfectly, there's a new GM in the office next summer.