Quoting: StarsHorns
you think a tad too highly of benn. again, results speak for themselves. keep changing players around them and when we keep underperforming 5 years down the road, we will look back and wonder why we didn't alter the core quicker. Benn's game does not lend itself to longevity, i.e. Brenden Morrow. He will begin to tail off. Tavares is a better hockey player than Jamie Benn, and I think Tavares will maintain his level of play longer into a contract then Benn will, I actually think Benn's deal will start to look like Spezza deal here in a few seasons. You had to sign it, but this team has gone from division champ to cellar, to wild card spot, to franchise long losing streak in the middle of the playoffs. It's time to look at serious changes.
I agree with you that there needs to be some serious changes to be done. But I don't believe trading Benn is the right route to go, and I also disagree about that he's going to "tail off" as you put it.
As you said, results speak for themselves. Well then,
- Has Islanders been that successful with Tavares then? Nope. Therefore, Tavares hasn't brought anything else than Benn hasn't brough to his team
- Has Tavares won an Art Ross trophy? Nope. Benn has, and therefore, Tavares hasn't really been better than him.
Therefore, how Tavares is "a better hockey player?"
In the offensive end, Tavares might be a little bit better player. But he doesn't bring as much leadership, physicality and defensivity to the team. Benn is an all around star, and I'm positive when the team core gets altered a bit, Dallas will eventually be more succesful.