I just don't get this at all. Pittsburgh doesn't win this trade even from a cap perspective. And to those who try to defend it by saying that the 15th overall may not play for a couple of years, I have two words: Dylan Larkin.
Larkin still took a year before going pro and it wasn't until his 3 season when he broke out to be a 60pt player.
2018 - Grigori Denisenko
2017 - Erik Brannstrom
2016 - Luke Kunin
2015 - Zach Senyshyn
2014 - Dylan Larkin
2013 - Ryan Pulock
2012 - Cody Ceci
2011 - JT Miller
2010 - Derek Forbort
I think it all depends on what the Leafs decide to do with the pick. I'm of the opinion that they should try and trade it for a RHD, and trade Johnsson for futures to open up cap space to sign another RHD in free agency.
I think theyd be smart to move it for help at RHD too. The window for TOR is 4yrs because after that their big 4 are going to start becoming UFA's. A 1st doesnt help them take advantage of their window.
Literally the only way this makes sense in terms of humanity is that Rutherford mixed Lindgren and Liljegren together.
If that isn't the case I don't know what the heck has JR been smoking.
Back in the 1970s, the Pens GM got confused and traded a first rounder to Montreal. Pens thought they were getting NHL sniper Steve Schutt but got a minor leaguer Schutt instead. Lindgren is 23 year old small RHD, who hasn't made a impact in any pro league I wish him success, but odds are he isn't an NHLer.
Back in the 1970s, the Pens GM got confused and traded a first rounder to Montreal. Pens thought they were getting NHL sniper Steve Schutt but got a minor leaguer Schutt instead. Lindgren is 23 year old small RHD, who hasn't made a impact in any pro league I wish him success, but odds are he isn't an NHLer.
Jack Johnson signed for a dumb contract, Phil Kessel traded Galchenyuk basically you turn Galchenyuk and Addison into Zucker, you trade a 3rd round pick to bring in Marleau, then you trade another good prospect in Hallander and the 15th overall pick for Kapanen...... this is not trending very well....
I am LOOSING MY MIND RIGHT NOW! He trades AWAY Dominik Kahun for Connor FREAKING FALL DOWN Sheary and Evan Rodriguez and NOW BOTH are gone as is Kahun which played SOOO well and has so much upside AND on top of this he trades away OUR 15th OVERALL first round pick of this years STACKED DRAFT for a player who we drafted YEARS AGO!!!
What the freaking heck!!!
He also traded your best prospect ... on top of the 15th overall.
To those who said Kapenan isn't worth a first this must be embarrassing
BUT Pal. We have NOW used TWO First Round picks on the SAME PLAYER!!! HAs this evert happened in history of the NHL!!! Crazy and stupid all at the same time.
Kap is not the type of player that thrives in the Sid/Geno system of offense - he's a run and gun type player. Not a good fit, imo. He's not a top six Forward! It's not an overpayment per se, but for PIT it is.
I know Rutherford is probably willing to overpay now if he can squeeze out one or two deep runs over the next couple of years but he probably could have easily found a better player than Kapanen for that package. Especially the first round pick.
Edited Aug. 25, 2020 at 7:08 p.m.. Reason: corrected error
Quoting: ON3M4N
Larkin still took a year before going pro and it wasn't until his 3 season when he broke out to be a 60pt player.
2018 - Grigori Denisenko
2017 - Erik Brannstrom
2016 - Luke Kunin
2015 - Zach Senyshyn
2014 - Dylan Larkin
2013 - Ryan Pulock
2012 - Cody Ceci
2011 - JT Miller
2010 - Derek Forbort
Larkin was the exception not the rule.
Would you rather have J.T. Miller, Ryan Pulock, Dylan Larkin, Erik Brannstrom, Grigori Denisenko, or Kasperi Kapanen? And the jury is still out on Kunin and Senyshyn. Even if we consider them not as good as Kapanen, I would have taken the 55% chance on a successful pick and kept the first and Hallander.