In my unexpert opinion, this looks to me like a classic now-vs.-later trade. Vancouver gets a what-you-see-is-what-you-get D man, and Florida gets a solid very young centerman who clearly has upside left to him. It's possible that if that itself were the trade, that both teams could win.

What makes this trade favor Florida is the draft picks... giving up a 2 and a 4 and getting only a 5 back seems pretty one-sided, especially when they're already giving up the future potential of the 19-yr old centerman.

In the end, I think the Analytics thing is a snazzy new tool in the toolbox for GM's to use... Analytics definitely deserve a seat at the table, so to speak... but to "turn the keys over" to Analytics, as the author puts it, to me would be as silly as turning the keys over to any other tool in the toolbox (e.g. total pts or +/-). The GM still has to have his vision on what kind of team he wants, and then he can use Analytics - along with the other tools in the box - to decide which players fit the vision.
- copelal

According to Tanner, using analytics is actually the only tool a GM can use. Apparently watching games and using your eyes has no value at all.

This is not an analytics issue. Two totally different players in totally different roles, at different points in their careers. Using analytics to compare them and to use this trade as an example of "eye-test" vs "analytics" is very misleading. It's one thing if Benning was trying to improve his D by trading a positive analytics roster D man for a less than positive Gudbranson, but he's not. He's filling a need with assets available.

Seems like an example of trying to fit the facts into an argument to prove a point, rather than starting with the facts and then providing analysis.

No thanks
- Nucker101

It's very reminiscent of the Ballard deal.

Of course he will, I think ownership has mandated they be better this year. Plus he loves him some meat and taters!
- LeftCoaster

Yeah, I do really believe that ownership has played apart in this "rebuild on the fly" strategy, but Benning's execution of the plan has been bad. Best we can hope for is another accidental tank season.

He's younger and a bit better offensively.
- Scooby_Doo

Fair point.

I would have liked the return to be Ekblad instead of Gudbranson.
- Scooby_Doo

Scout

Yeah, I do really believe that ownership has played apart in this "rebuild on the fly" strategy, but Benning's execution of the plan has been bad. Best we can hope for is another accidental tank season.
- Nucker101

Only if the team is fully healthy. If not, that crutch will be there.

It's very reminiscent of the Ballard deal.
- golfingsince

Getting repeadetely owned by the Panthers of all franchises

This is not an analytics issue. Two totally different players in totally different roles, at different points in their careers. Using analytics to compare them and to use this trade as an example of "eye-test" vs "analytics" is very misleading. It's one thing if Benning was trying to improve his D by trading a positive analytics roster D man for a less than positive Gudbranson, but he's not. He's filling a need with assets available.

Seems like an example of trying to fit the facts into an argument to prove a point, rather than starting with the facts and then providing analysis.
- 13sundin13

Could you imagine using analytics on Chris Chelios?

Yeah, I do really believe that ownership has played apart in this "rebuild on the fly" strategy, but Benning's execution of the plan has been bad. Best we can hope for is another accidental tank season.
- Nucker101

An accidental tank with honour would be best.

Yeah, I do really believe that ownership has played apart in this "rebuild on the fly" strategy, but Benning's execution of the plan has been bad. Best we can hope for is another accidental tank season.
- Nucker101

think benning will sell players off this year if that happens?

You know what....none of this matters. Trump is the GOP nom and we are all gonna die when he becomes president. I'm gonna start taking out some loans....Lamborghini here I come!!!! WOOOOOOO

An accidental tank with honour would be best.
- SolidGoldBricks

Look at Buffalo's unintentional tank with no honor and see where it got them

You guys are funny. This thread is (frank)ing funny hahaha

I would have liked the return to be Ekblad instead of Gudbranson.
- Scooby_Doo

You probably would have had to include a 4th round pick too in my opinion.

Only if the team is fully healthy. If not, that crutch will be there.
- golfingsince

Our prospect pool is still way too damn shallow. I would much rather have seen this plan executed by keeping all of our picks every year and trying to do add one or two extra picks by trading vets, if not then so be it. I'd rather sign players instead of trading away picks and prospects for veterans. Plus everyone praises Benning's scouting eye and yet his plan involves trading away picks. Shouldn't his plan be to make the most out of his strengths as a GM and try to get the most picks as possible?


You can still sign UFA's to satisfy Aquilini(God I can't wait until he sells the team).

You guys are funny. This thread is (frank)ing funny hahaha
- The-O-G

my wife left me

Scout
- Nucker101

Look at Buffalo's unintentional tank with no honor and see where it got them
- DeflatedPucks

It's like they didn't even consider honour.

No thanks
- Nucker101

Fine….I'll go it alone!

An accidental tank with honour would be best.
- SolidGoldBricks

An accidental tank is the lowest of the low. At least the team's planning to suck know where they stand.


Apparently missing Brandon Sutter and a declining Dan Hamhuis getting injured was all it took for this team to fall apart. Sounds like a team that was built to compete.

- Scooby_Doo

Scooby*

(frank)ing auto correct

my wife left me
- eichiefs9

Does she know?

Yeah, I do really believe that ownership has played apart in this "rebuild on the fly" strategy, but Benning's execution of the plan has been bad. Best we can hope for is another accidental tank season.
- Nucker101

Times two

Our prospect pool is still way too damn shallow. I would much rather have seen this plan executed by keeping all of our picks every year and trying to do add one or two extra picks by trading vets, if not then so be it. I'd rather sign players instead of trading away picks and prospects for veterans. Plus everyone praises Benning's scouting eye and yet his plan involves trading away picks. Shouldn't his plan be to make the most out of his strengths as a GM and try to get the most picks as possible?


You can still sign UFA's to satisfy Aquilini(God I can't wait until he sells the team).
- Nucker101

That's the real problem IMO.

Even if we stay healthy and sneak into the playoffs, we're still not much further ahead then we were when Benning took over.