IMO you have to kind of forget about where he was drafted and look at what he's done as a pro and what he projects to be in the NHL. Baertschi was unbelievable in the CHL and has hit similar barriers as a pro. Some of these smaller skill guys can't effectively translate to the NHL. Not saying he's going to be a bust but as a GM I would be pretty cautious.
Is it just me or does it seem that guys drafted out of the Quebec League have a harder time transitioning to the NHL than guys from the OHL and WHL ?
Could have something to do with going from a league with next to no defense to playing against the best defense in the world and having to play a 200 foot game for once.
Just read that Drouin asked for trade right after Yzerman signed John Cooper to a long term deal.
Cooper's got his guys and the rest of the skill guys seem to want out - Stamkos/St.Louis/Drouin. At some point you have to wonder if the coach is the issue.
Cooper had Stamkos on the bench in the playoffs with the goalie pulled. I remember him not using him on the first PP unit. When Tampa had injuries he dressed Morrow over Drouin. I'm sure you could make arguements to defend his decisions but at the same time these things always told me that he might not be the easiest guy to play for. These are just a few things I noticed as a casual fan who doesn't even pay attention to TB very much.
Just read that Drouin asked for trade right after Yzerman signed John Cooper to a long term deal.
And Yzerman signed Cooper to that deal knowing that some of his players weren't seeing eye to eye with the coach. Which tells me that Yzerman is playing the long game of establishing a team model and culture, and he's willing to lose dissatisfied players over it.
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And Yzerman signed Cooper to that deal knowing that some of his players weren't seeing eye to eye with the coach. Which tells me that Yzerman is playing the long game of establishing a team model and culture, and he's willing to lose dissatisfied players over it.
That's a scary game to be playing. I get it, and why a GM would want to do it, but to lose or stifle talented players to the point where they want out in favor of keeping a coach you like is an odd hill to die on, considering statistically speaking that coach that's created a huge stigma about your team will be gone in a few years, if not sooner.
In the meantime, you're also letting it get out that it's not a fun place to be as a player which will cause most potential free agents or players with NTC's to say no way to Tampa, on top of everything happening internally.
Absolutely. I have enough faith in this rebuild to take the chance that we're talking about the 16th overall or lower pick in 2017, combine that with Russell and Poirier for Drouin? Hell yeah, in a heartbeat.
I think value wise it is very similar particularly given that the pick is further out.
2nd+Russel+Emile seems like a terrible deal for T-bay. I don't think we can use the Hamiltion deal as the benchmark.
Not this years 1st though. We're way too bubble and there's a lot of talent near the top this year. Even the 2017 one is a little scary, but that's likely the cost.
