Quoting: jfkst1
I'd argue outside of a human element of Samsonov wanting to go play in PIT, there wouldn't be any reason for TOR to trade him to PIT. Especially without a proven alternative. I do agree a 2nd would be fair value from PIT.
Garland's 5v5 production has consistently been top 6 if not top line. Granlund hasn't had top 6 5v5 production since 2019. And his defensive numbers are below average as well. Outside of his playmaking, he offers very little value. Sullivan deployed him as a defensive specialist which is probably indicative of what he thought about acquiring him and how unfit he is for Sullivan's system. Absolutely brain dead for Hextall to bring him in on a 2nd without salary retention. Especially in an extremely deep draft where that 2nd is probably the equivalent of a late first in most drafts.
Carolina would just keep playing Chatfield at 3RD and save $2m/year with the same on ice performance. Maybe even better. And they still have a solid pipeline. Another brain dead Hextall decision of wasting money on replaceable depth.
I agree with 90% of above. Granlund is a poor fit in Pit. As is Rutta. I think both would be better in another system. Granlund in the bigger west and Rutta in a more defensively focused team.
I have a little pushback against Garland as a top line or top 6 guy.
His numbers last year 5v5 and ranked against forwards with 500+ min:
Expected Goals: 9.8, 233rd
Points / 60: 1.76, 163rd
High-Danger Expected Goals: 1.8, 306th
Medium-danger Expected Goals: 2.21, 367th
Low-danger Expected Goals: 5.78, 25th
Corsi: 49%, 211th
On Ice Expected goals against/ 60: 2.58, 162nd
In 2022 his numbers were closer to top 6 but last year he took a big step back. That is probably why there is chatter about trading him. I like him as a 3rd liner because he draws penalties, has a ton of takeaways, and is defensively sound. He could also take a top 6 role temperarily.
That said, for 5MM a year he left a lot to be desired after last season.