Quote:
Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald
Huberdeau is a better player than Gaudreau, but not by much. Weegar is a very different player than Gudbranson, so it is hard to compare the two. Weegar is more like Brodie, and we know how the team was defensively when Brodie was here - subject to brain farts. Gudbranson is a big rough and tumble player that scared the hell out of the opposition, Weegar will not replace that aspect of the game. Weegar will greatly improve the offense and ability to move the puck out of the zone compared to Gudbranson, but we really didn't have that problem last season. What is missing is another 100+ scorer from last season. Nothing in this deal makes up for that, so yes, the Flames will have to be better defensively. Is defense Weegar's strength? Not sure about that.
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The notion Gudbranson (a Sept. 2021 pickup because he was still unsigned) is just “different” from a top pairing Dman like Weegar is silly. And yes, the Flames lost Tkachuk as well, but the stronger defence, more from other players down the line (eg Toffoli) can make up for it. Remember Tkachuk’s 100 points overlapped with Gaudreau’s - it’s not simple subtraction.
And if production is an issue, yes another puck mover is definitely an asset.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flamesfan05
Gaudreau and Tkachuk had a career year. Huberdeau is not going to get anywhere close to replacing that.
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It’s called a career year for a reason. Huberdeau also had a banner year but moreover, he’s a better and more consistent player than either of those guys.
Bottom line - those guys are gone. And they would have been no matter what the return was.