Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolven
McQueen is not needed by the Ducks, at all.
They have: - McTavish locked up long term (after the drama over the summer where it looked like he might ask out because he didn't want to play wing). #1/2C
- They are about to extend Carlsson long term. #1/2C
- Strome signed for 2 more years #3C
- Granlund signed for 3 more years #3C
- Gaucher (2022 1st round pick) #2/3C
- Pettersson (2024 2nd round pick) #2/3C
- Nilson (2025 2nd round pick) #3C
McQueen is redundant after the first 2 bullets. From his perspective there is no way he wants to cap out as a #3C and, like McTavish said over the summer, I doubt McQueen wants to convert to a winger (and even if he did, who is he going to bump out of the top 6?). I also doubt he wants to get buried and stuck making third line money when he could be a top 6 center elsewhere and the other young options may actually be better in the bottom 6 role.
From Verbeek's perspective, this is literally one of those moments that all the "BPA" people talk about. Draft the best player available no matter what and if you end up overloaded in a position then you trade away one of those players to get what you need. Keeping McQueen doesn't really make sense for the Duck's depth chart or salary cap structure. Also, Verbeek just traded Zegras with similar logic behind it.
From Conroy's perspective, if you have Dallas offering Bischel + 1st for Andersson and then you tell that to Verbeek and tell him he can beat it by putting up McQueen. If he turns around and offers you Mintyukov + 1st then I think you send Andersson to the Stars. I know Mintyukov was drafted higher than Bischel in the same draft year but I like Bischel's game (and size) more.
In the end, Verbeek could win the bidding war easily unless he cheaps out and offers similar assets to the perennial contenders who have very little to offer. |
Just because they can afford to give up McQueen, doesn't mean they will for a 30 year old dman. If they decide they can move on from McQueen, they would trade him for another young stud in a position of need.