Edited Oct. 30, 2020 at 2:12 a.m.
Quoting: HatterTParty
You really don’t think the rangers can be a playoff team this year? Honest question. I think you guys look very strong. That 1st is definitely lottery protected that 2nd can be conditional. But the issue comes when you factor in toews being a 3 time champion on a huge contract. I do get wanting to just keep following the process, but toews is someone you need. I’m really surprised you guys didn’t get a center with that second 1st this year.
Either way, trading a captain is always gonna cost a little more. Plus, I am retaining on him and he still hasn’t declined. He looked great in the playoffs. I do completely get that you don’t want toews or even Kane, but Toews still has value with retention. I may need to remove a pick, but I was hoping taking back smith might have warranted another pick.
First off, I appreciate you're professionalism and I may have came off a little too strong and could've been more transparent on my reasoning. I totally agree with the potential ask for Toews considering the additional salary retention and Lottery Protections. Yes, I was a full supporter for them to take a Center preferably Hendrix Lapierre at #22 but they felt there was a better fit with Schneider. Personally disagree with the decision but I like the player so there isn't a lot to be disappointed by.
I personally don't see the Rangers being good at all. I think we'll be bad. Not just a playoff miss but a yet another lottery year. The Front Office has depleted an already brutal defense and the team is very young and inexperienced. Having a rookie as a starter with a defense that is this bad is not a recipe for consistency and sustainable success. This is why I think this trade is detrimental to us and in some instances the Blackhawks as well. If this we're to happen it wouldn't fix our defensive issues and that condition to defer the pick is not something I would love if I was a hawks fan. Even though the 2022 draft is the best draft since 2003 and 2015, or at least believed to be that good, it will only delay the process to rebound.
I compare us to this past year's Winnipeg Jets. Incredible offensive pieces. Great goaltending. No center depth on than their 1C's and bad defense with some outliers.
By offensive pieces:
WPG: Laine, Schiefele, Wheeler, Connor, Roslovic, etc.
NYR: Lafreniere, Kreider, Panarin, Zibanejad, Buchnevich, Kakko, etc.
by goaltending:
WPG: Hellebuyck
NYR: Shesterkin
No center depth:
WPG: Schifele, Little(INJ), Copp, Lowry
NYR: Zibanejad,Strome,Howden,McKegg,Chytil
Bad defense( More so unfinished) filled by:
WPG: Kulikov, Bitetto, a Rookie Heinola, a newbie Pionk, Niku.
NYR: Staal, Smith, Trouba in his first year, DeAngelo, and Hajek