Joined: May 2023
Posts: 5,178
Likes: 1,728
I think people are kind of blowing Lindholm’s last year out of proportion with the salary he is going to get. At the beginning of the year, the comparables were easy between Scheifele and Horvat. He’s coming off a poor year, but has looked very good in the playoffs. I believe 4 years, $66M AAV gets you Stephenson. I doubt it gets you Lindholm. Some of you may think that’s OK, but we are seeing how the lack of a very good center is impacting this series.
I think you have to secure one of Lindholm / Stephenson since you don’t have the trade assets to get a center unless you are creative with Ullmark.
I still believe an Ullmark for PLD and a pick/prospect is a consideration if they get negative feedback on Lindholm/Stephenson, though I know people fundamentally hate that
While Mercer regressed, I doubt New Jersey does that deal even if you swap the 2nd with a 2025 first. His first year was very good. Last year, not so much.