Quoting: F50marco
People need to relax when it comes to rumors. Montreal may have very well called Chicago about a Toews trade and Bowman is simply listening to the offers. Technically that could be fed down the lines to Eklund somehow and he'd be simply reporting it. He's jazzing it up a little for views but for the most part he isn't actually saying anything necessarily false either.
As for the trade, it can be discussed all they want, Toews holds all the keys. He isn't being bought out. He isn't being scratched to be forced to accept a trade. etc etc. Bowman will never do anything to damage that relationship and as unspectacular as Toews has been these past couple years, he's earned the right to fade into the sunset if he wants.
If he has expressed interest in maybe trying somewhere new and MTL was on his shortlist, MB would make this trade the second he knew he could. The two draft picks is what makes it not believable. No way would Chicago lose Toews and the 8th at the same time unless a better piece than Galchenyuk was coming back. Taking the Toews high salary into account, it would be more like Galchenyuk and something else for Toews alone. Maybe Habs add a 1st next year. No way Chi gives the 8OV just to get the 2nd rounder back.
I know cap is an important part of the game and GM's use it wisely but it also only matters if you have players to use it on. For example Toews is an expensive 10.5M asset to add but they're also swapping Galchenyuk who comes in at 5M and his next contract will be in the same range if not higher. So the Habs only take on an extra 5M which isn't a big problem since they have cap to use anyway.
An expensive but still good player is not the same as a cap dump. A lot of people mix this up. Cap dump is a player who brings nothing to the team and costs a lot. The best example of this in the NHL right now is Matt Moulson. A guy like Toews is overpriced yes but is still a top end player. Instantly makes us a much better team. Sure he's getting older so we won't see his career bets or anything but even 80% of 11-12 Toews is still a 40% increase improvement over any centre we currently have.....
With that said, do I want the Habs to make that trade? Toews for Galchenyuk+1st or 2nd? No. Habs are in the same boat as Chicago. They should be looking to move out assets for picks and prospects also. These two teams for these players aren't compatible. I can't see it happening. If it is like the offer above Toews+1st for Galchenyuk+2nd, than I would make that trade even if I were rebuilding. That is still great value to get a top 10 pick AND Toews but as I said, that is unlikely. Cap space is important but not that important.
Very well said. I don't think Toews' contract matches his player ability and is a detriment to the Hawks squad, even if he's getting 50+ points. I disagree however that Montreal shouldn't be actively looking into getting Toews. I believe Montreal has a deeper, higher quality of wingers then Chicago. Toews with Pacioretty (If he isn't traded) would be a scary duo going into the next season. If Montreal can establish a first line, a huge amount of pressure is taken off our lower C's, where they can actually start to develop, and not struggle under the pressure of playing against the top centers of other teams. Toews is indeed a bandaid solution, but one who can at least solve Montreal's biggest problem since 2005. This allows us to actually develop our center prospects and give them the time they need to grow, not throw then to the dogs and get burned out on their first season in the NHL.
On the other side of the trade, you have Chucky. He's my favorite player on the roster, but it's been apparent these past few years that he's not at his full potential. he's going into his 5th year in the NHL, and so far he's had one terrific season, and couple good ones, and some (like the last two seasons) where he has just been lost on this team and can get to grips with his actual role with Montreal. As much as it pains, trading him to a team like Chicago is probably what he needs to find his game. There have been no shortage of events between the Montreal staff and Galchenyuk, which has damaged our relations with him.
While the picks themselves are out of place, the potential of the trade is, in my opinion, a very real option.
Other avenues we can look into, since this sub doesn't mind the idea of older but respected centermen, would be people like Jeff Carter or Thornton (Not really) to satisfy our center need for a few years.
HotsamBatcho and ryangatto_412 liked this.
Reply
CapFriendly
CapFriendly