Quoting: Caniac2000
Fiala had a career year in the last two years. Look at Nino's best year, look at Fiala's best year, look at Nino's worst year, look at Fiala's worst year. Age is a factor sure, but it's negated by the fact Nino is one of the best 5v5 defensive forwards in hockey, and Fiala is... let's just say not.
Nino's best season -- 25 goals, 57 points, all 82 games played -- that was in 2016-17
Fiala's best season -- 23 goals, 54 points, but only in 64 games due to the shortened season in 2019-20 -- over 82 games, that's 29 goals, 69 points. And last year he was on pace for 33 goals. 66 points -- you could argue that was actually his best season.
You don't trade for a guy and say -- man, he was really good offensively 4 years ago, let's trade a top prospect and 1st for him! You trade for the player he is
now or what you expect they'll become (prospects). You should never make a trade based on what the player
was.
Fiala is the more offensively gifted player -- and he is 4 years younger and an RFA. That's just more valuable.
I don't dislike Nino and still think he is a good player, but if I have a choice between Fiala and Nino, today, 10 times out of 10 I'm choosing Fiala.