Quoting: exo2769
I hear ya. It's not like I hate the guy. I've been cheering/following for him for a while. For me it's just that his situation is exactly the opposite of a guy like Ian Mitchell. Kurashev has been given A LOT of NHL opportunities and I'm not so sure he's better than Donato. I definitely don't want to impede Reichels development. So he's not a LW...he's not a center...#3RW??? or he's splitting time at his natual LW. There's just soo much he needs to improve on that I just found it odd he even went to arbitration, BUT he did and now he's got life changing money...so again good for him. I am genuinely happy for him. Now that you've won the arb case...NO Complaining even if you're splitting time. That's what the $2.25M is for.
Reichel is a top 6 guy, Kurashev isn't taking or trading ice time with him regardless of Kurashev playing in the top 6 or not. Foligno is a bottom line guy. Donato or Kurashev likely playing center on the 3rd line, but MAYBE Kursahev plays on the 2nd line with AA and Raddysh. Blackwell honestly gets some games but he's not part of the future (also think he's not a NHL player) nor is Foligno, Perry, Katchouk, all bottom line guys anyway.
I just don't see 9 guys up front on the roster that are better than Kurashev and definitely not 9 guys part of the future which makes Kurashev a important piece and ultimately a valuable 3rd line player.
Posted this just for our discussion.
https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/4471956
Point is, there is plenty of room for Kurashev.
I don't think he's overpaid. Arbitration is generally the ultimate equilibrium; he got what he's owed in other words. If you look at his complete game, age, and upside it's fair value.
I don't necessarily agree with the dislike for Mitchell and giving up on him, but I also can't say I'm surprised. His positioning isn't the best and defensively he suffers for it, his physicality isn't good, and does he really bring anything to the table that the prospects don't already? I was much more shocked by Regula who I thought looked a lot better.