In this final piece to the trade trio, Ottawa ships Dominik Kubalik to Detroit for Daniel Sprong. UFA for UFA, two year age difference. Kubalik had his best year in Detroit, 20 goals and 45 points. Not just that, he was an incredibly popular teammate, a gel kind of guy, the value of which can't be measured but is definitely there. The Red Wings are primed to make the playoffs this year and if Kubalik can slip back into form there, he'd be a great add. For whatever reason, despite his point totals, Daniel Sprong is often, if not always, listed on Detroit's 4th line on dailyfaceoff. Whatever the reason is, maybe Kubalik can ultimately be the better overall piece for Detroit this year, while Sprong earns a shot on Ottawa's 3rd line (if he plays well, he gets an extension).

Det:

DeBrincat - Larkin - Kane
Rasmussen - Compher - Raymond
Kubalik - Copp - Perron
Fabbri - Veleno - Fischer


Ott:

Tkachuk - Stutzle - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Giroux
Joseph - Hartman - Sprong
Kelly - Rempe - Duhaime

Lol. Sprong is better than Kubalik.

By quite a bit.

It will be interesting to see what kind of contract extension Yzerman would offer him. Francis evidently didn't want to offer him a deal after a 46 point, +13 season in 66 games. Yzerman gave him $2m for one year. I'm asking myself why, and also why he's listed on the fourth line for Detroit right now, and often, on that dailyfaceoff, and why his ice time is only 12:41 per game, if he's so good... there has to be something there. Dubas should have been all over this guy, but he chose Acciari, Nieto and Eller instead. Why? lol

You can't blame Kubalik for being on a crappy, losing Ottawa team. He had his career year just last season for you guys. Granted, he's always been a minus player in the NHL..

You can't blame Kubalik for being on a crappy, losing Ottawa team. He had his career year just last season for you guys. Granted, he's always been a minus player in the NHL..[/quote]

In Detroit last season Kubalík had 20g -25a -45p in 81 games and playing just under 15 min a game. Playing mostly on the 2nd and 3rd line.

This season in Detroit Sprong has 16s -21a -37p in 58 games playing just over 12:30 min a game and is on pace for 22g and 51p Playing mostly on the 3rd and 4th line.

Last season in Seattle Sprong had 21g -25a -46 points in 66 games play about 11:30 min a game. I have no idea what lines Sprong play on in Seattle.

So based on production I'm easily taking Sprong over Kubalík. Neither of them are good defensively and +/- is so vague that it's pointless stat.

Kubalík's rookie season was his best. Only 1 point better but he did have 30 goals that season.

Sprong is flat out better than Kubalik. No reason for Detroit to do this.