Yeah i get it, Zucker is signed for 3 more years at 5.5m, but that's also the max that Strome should get this offseason. He's an RFA so it's not like he's a pure 'rental'. Strome is having a better this year albeit he is playing with Panarin. Career wise, they are very similar. Zucker had one outlier season where he posted 64 points (strome is on pace for that this year). Given the below stats, I would say the advantage this season wise is Strome but career wise is Zucker. Zucker is a wing while Strome plays Center (but also can play wing). Each played 6 seasons with more than 40 games
Zucker got a b+ prospect and a 1st, gotta think that the minimum value for strome would be at least a 1st, agree disagree, please comment
Strome
2019-20: 55 GP, 13 G, 34 A, 47 P (13 on PP), +13, PS 4.5, CF% Rel 3.4, Age 26
career: 476 GP, 90G, 152A, 242P (53 on PP), +11, PS 8.2, CF% Rel 0.9
Zucker
at time of trade - 2019-20: 45 GP, 14G, 15A, 29P (9 on PP), -3, PS 3.0, CF% rel -1.8 (at time of trade), age 28
career: 457 GP, 132G, 111A, 243P (55 on PP), +21, PS 19.9, CF% rel 1.6
im not trading for strome. He was a middle 6 guy at best without panarin. rangers added a stud winger that hes playing with. if strome and panarin get separated stromes value significantly drops. let nyr pay strome. all set with overpaying a guy who was elevated by a superstar.
If you belief that Stromes current production will be the new norm then you should just resign him. No one is confident he will keep this up, especially not playing with a Panarin like winger. The fact that you are trying to trade a 60 point center whos only 26 for a late first, just lets everyone know not even you think he can keep this up.
a higher prospect and a conditional 2021 2nd...That condition is that it goes to a 1st if he hits 60 points or whatever...Because of Strome's history...
Ian Tulloch wrote a pretty good article on the Athletic before the season began explaining why Zucker was expected to be closer to his 30 goal season after regressing a bit last year. Summarizing the article, he said his career average shooting % is around 12% and it dipped last season despite most of his underlying stats remaining the same, so as long as he keeps playing the same way and gets a few bounces that go his way, he'd score more. This season he was on pace to finish with around 30 over 82 games, so I'm sure Pittsburgh pursued him knowing this.
I have no info on Strome, but when a guy has a career year during a contract year, I wouldn't want to be the team paying top value for him. If his career numbers suggest this year was a fluke, he won't command the same price especially if he's seen a boost playing with a game changing player like Panarin.
I think the way he plays and his career thus far will make GM's be overly cautious about paying a premium for him. I think if he can produce a second season of quality production than you may see better offers.
The fact that Strome is being used in so many trades makes me think they are trying to cash in while his value his high because they don't know if he can replicate this production going forward. That's precisely why GM's are wary.
Zucker has been consummate professional throughout his career. He has a pedigree which GM's respect. That's why PIT was willing to pay up for him. They are confident what he's shown in his career isn't just a blip. I can't say I feel the same about Strome. I need another season of quality to truly believe it.