Edited Feb. 8, 2023 at 6:47 p.m.
Quoting: Ledge_And_Dairy
Im not going to argue Chychrun vs Hanifin since that is purely speculation. Im still certain Tkachuk would have stayed if Gaudreau did and Gaudreau left because his wife.
Barabonov absolutely does not have more experience than Dube, Dube's played twice as many NHL games as him. Barabonov has also not been good defensively.
I'm not sure if you've noticed but Mangiapane has been a point per game since the new year and he is notorious for producing highly in the month of February too (not sure why). In 19/20 he had 12 points in 14 games that month, in 20/21 he had 32 points and 11 were just in the 15 February games, last year he had 12 points in 11 games in February.
Guhle is better defensively. Poirier has potential more in line with Chabot but needs to learn how to play defense
Look at what other defense like Schenn got, Gudbranson, Savard, Kulak, Rutta, Maatta, Schultz, etc
You could be right about Tkachuk & Gaudreau. I think Huberdeau replaced Gaudreau and Kadri could replace Tkachuk at 1RW, but everybody wants Kadri kept at Centre, so in that case we still need a Tkachuk replacement and neither Dube or Mang have been/done that and none of the AHL guys have either. At least Pelletier's numbers have been good with Kadri & Huberdeau, but do we really want to put all our eggs in that basket?
If you include Barabanov's time in the KHL, he does and he's put up better numbers than Dube too. Dube's the Better Scorer and Barabanov's the Better Playmaker. Both have shown flashes that they can be 0.80-1.00PPG guys and I think a Left Shot Right Wing would be great for Toffoli & Lindholm (Ruzicka should have been given a look there), but Tarasenko's going to cost too much to acquire and re-sign, so that's how Barabanov came along. Barbashev would be better, but his acquisition price will be high too and he'll sign for closer to $4mil+, like Mikheyev did.
I like Mangiapane a lot and that Mang-Backs-Coleman line is amazing, but honestly, which would you rather have Mangiapane, a 0.51PPG Player @ $5.8mil/yr OR Meier, a 0.71PPG guy at $8-8.5mil/yr... Otherwise I guess we just keep Mang & Dube = TWO 0.50PPG, Coronato and our 2023 1st Rd Pick. I guess will Coronato/Hanifin want to play/stay in Calgary/Canada is my question.
I have high hopes for Poirier & Kuznetsov. Poirier has apparently been working on and shown improvement on his Defensive game, something he was lacking when Drafted, but I think he's catching up to Guhle. Guhle's a Champion and Former Captain though and stepped right in to the NHL, so he's obviously still better. Gilbert and Meloche have been pleasant surprises as well. Mackey & Kylington have really not helped themselves this year unfortunately.
Yes, I completely get and understand Schenn will be in high demand and could bring a good Trade asset, but all of this stems from not wanting to give up Good Picks & Prospects for Rentals. At least Barabanov comes with Term and we'd get a Star in Meier. Why give up a 2nd or 3rd for Schenn when we're not in the playoffs for sure and could try to sign him for free via Free Agency. There'll be other/cheaper options available. Stone, Gilbert and I'm sure Meloche would all do fine, so it's not like we desperately need Schenn, although that would change if Tanev goes down again...