Honestly, I think you get more value in Strome than you do Kuz. I'd hold on to Strome.

if people honestly believed that they wouldn't trade Strome for Kuzy so often....

Capitals have a lot of LHD atm... Jones is solid but adding him causes more issues than solutions

So if a bunch of people on message board with no qualifications make that trade frequently, it makes it true?

Combining the last two seasons Strome has .85 PPG and Kuz has .78 PPG. Strome costs $4.5M and Kuz costs $7.8M.

It's not rocket science. Do I think Kuz is a better player? Sure, but is he that much better to spend $3M more for less points per game?

Strome was a 30-35 point player before playing with Panarin..... its not rocket science to look at his production w and w/o him and see a noticeable drop. If you are "smart enough" to trade a 1c for a 3c maybe an okay 2c then go ahead.... Strome put up better numbers than Malkin this year why dont you swap them? ...Guy you are "on message board with no qualifications" using ppg to justify value lol. Kuzy had COVID 2x this year so yeah his ppg will take a hit AND even with that happening the difference is only 70p vs 64p average in 82gp AGAIN when Kuzy had COVID and missed 30 days where he couldnt skate or train lol. Yeah ill take Kuzy all day.

So, coming from watching years of "trying to find wingers for Sid," trust me when I tell you that simply playing with an elite player, no matter how good you are, doesn't mean any good player will play well with Panarin. I mean ultimately Pascal Dupuis, who was basically a so-so third liner, wound up being Sid's winger. Strome and Panarin clearly have great chemistry, so if it works and it gives you more financial freedom to fill other actual holes in your lineup, why not do that instead?

There's also clear reasons why the Caps are looking to move a player like Kuz and that shouldn't go overlooked. Personally I think you're better served by spending that $3.3M more on strengthening your bottom six.

EDIT:
You need to take into consideration all the RFA contracts coming due this year and next. That $3.3M, while it may not seem like a lot now, will go a very long way in balancing out your lineup. Especially considering the flat cap is here to stay for the foreseeable future.

"elite player, no matter how good you are, doesn't mean any good player will play well with Panarin. I mean ultimately Pascal Dupuis, who was basically a so-so third liner, wound up being Sid's winger. Strome and Panarin clearly have great chemistry, so if it works" thats exactly what im saying....Strome plays extremely well with Panarin but if Washington trades a great player for him there's no guarantee that he doesn't return to his 30 point form. I wouldnt risk that at all if I'm Washington.... they aren't shopping Kuzy either fans are just mad he got COVID 2x this year. This site has made a massive false narrative and it took off... Washington doesnt really move elite/great talent unless the player wants to leave... Stephenson Vrana Seigs Bura all asked to be traded. You dont let the biggest catalyst your franchise has had since Ovi and Backstrom leave for pennies on the dollar

I get what you're saying, but this idea that since Player A did this then clearly Player B could do better because he did so well on his team. It just doesn't always work like that in sports. Chemistry and fit should never be taken for granted.

Could Kuznetzov improve on what Strome has done with Panarin? Yeah, totally, but it doesn't mean he will. You HAVE a given. You KNOW what Strome and Panarin can do together. It's cost-effective and allows you to spend in other areas. One of the Rangers' major areas of weakness is your depth scoring. That $3.3M gives a chance to not be top-heavy.

Also, and I edited above, you have a lot of RFA contracts this year and next. You need as much extra cash as possible to balance out your lineup.

I know you probably hate the Penguins and don't care what some Penguins fan says, but you should look at their model compared to the Oilers. For any team like the Penguins, Blackhawks or Kings over the last ten years there's a mix of luck in having some good young players on ELC's and good asset management. The Oilers have two of the top five best players in the NHL and they're a team that can't do squat because of poor asset management. You have to hope your team is good at identifying good fits for your team on friendly contracts, and if they are, you have a good shot.

You have something that works and you need to be maximize your extra cash to spend on areas where there's an actual weakness instead making yourself more top-heavy. Asset management can either create a true contender or destroy it. It's destroying the Oilers.

It’s more that kuznetsov is signed for 4 years, Strome only for 1. While Strome is cheaper now, he will probably get at least 6m on a long term deal and I’d rather have kuzy at less than 2m more.

Poor asset management.

hes getting the better asset? maybe poor cap management bc Strome is currently cheaper but i dont think there is one GM that picks Strome over Kuzy

Foolish line of thinking.

yeah.... the irony