Nah I think it's appropriate to identify issues before they come up actually.
And I simply don't believe him. This is what GMs always say and yet, no GM wants to lose a useful piece due to waivers.
Letting our prospect pool get this unbalanced isn't an August issue it's an issue we've been discussing for a couple years.
"Rushing" is subjective.
Some folks on here seem to think anything less than multiple AHL years is "rushing".
I just don't see how the no waivers guys are going to have a fair chance.
Trading players before they have established any value is just as ludicrous as playing them Laval because they are waiver exempt.
That's a sure fire way to get little in return for your prospects adjust piss poor asset management.
Yes, there is a bit of a log jam and a bit of a conundrum in the process, but, not all prospects will pan out as 1st pairing Ds with PP and PK upside.
Just look at Barron who had been sold as being pried from COL for Lehkonen, with a lot of resistance from the Avalanche GM.
How long has this gem been simmering in the skillet with little or no results in terms of consistency?
We were afraid Harris would finish his University to sign with a team of his choice once he finished his schooling because he was allegedly that good. Yet, while a serviceable depth NHL D, I think that serious top-4 was somewhat exaggerated. Probably the best post game interview, though...
Reinbacher won't be a spoiled talent if he plays all year in Laval next year. Neither will Engstrom. Both players come from Europe and could use increased familiarity on a smaller ice surface, with tons of TOI in all game situations since both Ds have all-around skills.
Mailloux has had a great AHL season last year, sure, but he still needs to work on certain aspects of his game and returning to Laval until the trade deadline next season, provided he has a good frame of mind, won't cripple his career any.
Hutson could also play in Laval, pairing up immediately with Reinbacher (that's popular suggestion) and, while I'm not against that either, I suspect management will want closer eye on Hutson's development and will rather be closely managing his ice time in Montreal, as they did with Slafkovsky, another chunk of coal they wanted to make sure they could polish into a diamond.
If all thiree of Reinbacher, Mailloux and Engstrom start the season in Laval, Hughes will have more ice time and more time, period, to build value with Barron (especially) and Harris, maybe unto the trade deadline next year.Injuries will strike across the league and management can likely get more in return for these players if they are still here beyond this offseason?
Kovacevic will always have some value as a depth RHD. I can't see how he wouldn't be worth a late 2nd round pick if Kulak was?
I'd rather trade Kovacevic this offseason and play Barron with Xhekaj regularly to start the season in Montreal.
Barron can get 2nd PP wave TOI to put his offensive upside on display.
We'll likely seen Montreal:
Matheson - Guhle
Hutson - Savard
Xhekaj - Barron / Mailloux (maybe)
Harris, Kovacevic / Barron (maybe)
In Laval:
Tobie-Brisson (I think that's his name) / Hutson (maybe) - Reinbacher
Trudeau - Mailloux (maybe)
I honestly don't see the log jam as that serious and emphasis should be on upping value for the young Ds that won't remain with the team.