Joined: Dec. 2017
Posts: 5,020
Likes: 3,529
"Leadership" is the most overrated intangible in hockey. I'm not saying it's not important, but it's not worth $5.5M AAV in a flat cap world when you have 2 of the top 3 players in the NHL.
You know why DK won 3 Cups? Because he played on a great team; The most talented team in the league. TBL were the best hockey team over the last 3 seasons. They lost to CBJ because they didn't have enough depth, not because Stamkos, Kuch, McD, Killorn, Hedman, etc... weren't great leaders.
In order for this trade to be a W for the Oilers, DK must produce on both ends of the ice AND provide the team with strong leadership. Yes, he needs to be a presence in the locker room, but his presence on the ice is what will determine this team's fate come next April-June.