Quoting: Garak
It is easy to say these things when a player is having success. But most of us, probably including you as well, were ready to move Kurashev as recently as the beginning of the season. So, again, you don't get good packages for players when they aren't playing well. I also think you over estimate what Kurashev is. He can hang in a top 6 with elite players, and that is definitely commendable, but as Bedard's time on IR showed, Kurashev doesn't really create or produce much on his own. We will absolutely be able to find another Kurashev when we need to, and probably an even better player. He was a 4th round pick. As for wingers for Bedard in the interim, we can take on a cap dump that can fill the role for a little while, like Lee or Smith etc., or sign a guy in free agency, like Marchessault etc. I am not worried about finding him guys to play with or his development. Nothing is going to stop him from being a superstar.
I am not necessarily saying "we have to move him", but if we can for a good package, it should absolutely be considered. Kurashev is more than likely not Bedards linemate in the future as so many have already alluded to. When this team is good, he is probably a "good" 3rd liner and/or top 9 floater.
Thx, Garak. This is important from your post, IMO: "
He can hang in a top 6 with elite players, and that is definitely commendable, but as Bedard's time on IR showed, Kurashev doesn't really create or produce much on his own." This was in the back of my mind during this excellent discussion, and I think is important to understanding who Kurashev is/can be.
I hate to to think about moving him because I like him and how he's worked to get better over the years - a 4th rounder. Kudos to him, and to the Hawks, as well, for hanging in there.
We'll see what happens. As I shared before, if The Cat and K. Dach were movable, so Kurashev can be, as well. A contending team up against the cap may cough up an excellent return for a cost-controlled, up-and-down the lineup, relatively young player with 200-ft awareness. With high-end prospects now in the pipeline - and more to come with lots of future high-end picks - the Hawks could have quite the team in three to five years, or so (fingers crossed). Bedard will likely have plenty of even higher-end talent to play with, IMO.
Cheers, LA