Joined: Aug. 2020
Posts: 9,527
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I wouldn't mind Gourde I guess, he's not a terrible player, he's just signed for too much for Tampa with a NTC. I honestly don't think we need to trade Zaitsev yet though, all we really need on defense is a filler guy, and he can fill that role for at least a couple years while we're not trying to be good. I don't think enough raises from ELCs will happen before his contract expires to be an issue. This year's prospects (if they take one year to develop which Byfield and Drysdale might need) will have their ELCs expire with Zaitsev's deal. Thomson and JBD probably need another year to develop as well, meaning their ELCs expire then also (unless we lose a year, I'm not 100% on how that works, all I know is sometimes prospects that take a few years only have 2 years of playing time on their ELCs) but yeah, I don't think Zaitsev's deal is a real problem. I wouldn't mind taking any of those contracts to reach the floor and acquire assets though