May not but it’s pretty clear by now that we need changes in top six and on the PP to compete with our lack of finishing and complete dogshit of a PP…and I definitely don’t want to take on Huberdeau’s ridiculous contract even with a small amount retained
It's high risk for sure but, again, when I look at underperforming players I try to assess "why". The whole trade thing did not go well for him. This isn't injury related. I don't think he suddenly regressed from a 100+pt player to a 40pt player overnight. Yes, the contract is a major risk, but really, so was Kessel at the time. Kessel was obviously a smidge better in Toronto but we had to pony up to get him. I think Hubs is in "cap dump" territory right now where Calgary may be willing to just cut ties. We might be able to "rectify" a questionable signing in Graves as well. Given how many guys Calgary will likely be losing - Zadorov, Tanev, maybe Hanafin - I could see them having an interest in Graves and some cap space.
I think these are the high-risk, high-reward moves you need to make. We shouldn't be doling out picks or prospects. So really, our hands are tied. I certainly don't think trading Jake and signing Bertuzzi in FA is magically going to make them good again. Other avenues have to be explored while we are, at the same time, cautious to not ruin the development of guys like Yager and Pickering by forcing them too fast.