Quoting: CD282
You didn't effectively replace Yamamoto or Ceci.
Broberg is already on the roster, Holloway and Lavoie are available already. So you removed a top-6 forward and a 1st pairing defenseman and replaced them with an over-35 13th forward. If you can't see how that's worse then I can't be of much help to you.
Ya I don't think you're looking at this with open mind.
- Broberg hasn't played a feature role with the Oilers yet which is where I have elevated him too. It is my belief that he and Kulak can all but replace Ceci's minutes at a cheaper rate.
- Holloway and Lavoie will be featured in the lineup because teams need players on ELC's or sub-million dollar deals to contribute. They will take much of the minutes that Yam was playing at 5v5. The PK minutes will likely fall to Foegele with an outside chance that Holloway sees some.
- Suggesting Ceci is a 1st pair defencemen is a disservice to your argument, same as calling Yamamoto a top-6 forward. Neither player contributes at the level that they too in order to be considered in that light. Furthermore EDM has its 1st pair RHD that they need to prioritize and that is Evan Bouchard. Moving Ceci in order to afford a long term deal for Bouchard makes plenty of sense.
- Suggesting the only replacement is Cogliano is silly, internal development from Broberg, Holloway and Lavoie needs to occur and be encouraged by management.
The way I see it is you are putting no stock in the young players abilities to step up and contribute. Bouchard will continue to take on more and more, Broberg will take a step forward in his development. Holloway and Lavoie need to be afforded the opportunity to contribute.
I don't see the team in a worse position, yes they are down 3 veteran NHLers but not giving the youth an opportunity to play isn't helpful and neither is being short cap that needs to be used in locking up Bouchard long term. But in your own words "If you can't see how that's worse then I can't be of much help to you."