It seems like Bozak would be the most likely traded out. $5M cap hit but only $4.25 in cash. They have Thomas to Center the 3rd line. 2nd/3rd line Centers are in demand.
It seems like Bozak would be the most likely traded out. $5M cap hit but only $4.25 in cash. They have Thomas to Center the 3rd line. 2nd/3rd line Centers are in demand. - G - Man
He'd be a cap dump so it's hard to imagine him not costing the Blues to be free of him. Not every GM is gonna bend over backwards to help Armstrong the way Bergevin did.
Imagine going back 5 years and telling an Oiler fan that in 2020, Jordan Eberle was going to score a massive double OT GWG in the Conference Finals at Rogers Place while wearing a blue & orange uniform.
Imagine going back 5 years and telling an Oiler fan that in 2020, Jordan Eberle was going to score a massive double OT GWG in the Conference Finals at Rogers Place while wearing a blue & orange uniform. - flashfire
Trade was stupid to begin with.
Regarding the big stage, he has shown to be capable of standing out when it matters prior to his time in Edmonton (WJC for one). Sure the playoff run with the Oilers was rough for him but he bounced back and has provided production in both playoffs runs with the NYI (including a few clutch moments). Can he produce a bit more? Sure. Can he try to be a bit more consistent, sure. Can he backcheck a bit more? Sure. But he has always been a star player that can help a team out.
Irrationally trading him gutted our top 6 and depth on the right side. Stupid, stupid trade.
Irrationally trading him gutted our top 6 and depth on the right side. Stupid, stupid trade. - EdmHockeyMan
I agree that the reasoning for why they thought he was expendable was weak, but the actual return wasn't nearly as bad as it ended up becoming after subsequent deals. Strome was and is a quality middle-6 C that showed well defensively and was capable offensively while also costing ~3mil less than Eberle. Had McLellan given him an actual shot with McDavid, I think we'd be singing a different tune about that trade.
I agree that the reasoning for why they thought he was expendable was weak, but the actual return wasn't nearly as bad as it ended up becoming after subsequent deals. Strome was and is a quality middle-6 C that showed well defensively and was capable offensively while also costing ~3mil less than Eberle. Had McLellan given him an actual shot with McDavid, I think we'd be singing a different tune about that trade. - MaximumBone
Oh, he isn't a bad player by any means. A good addition to any team to increase depth in their middle 6 (mainly on a third line). His deployment could have been better during his time here for sure.
Just feel like it was an unnecessary move that collapsed into a hole we are now trying to solve.
I agree that the reasoning for why they thought he was expendable was weak, but the actual return wasn't nearly as bad as it ended up becoming after subsequent deals. Strome was and is a quality middle-6 C that showed well defensively and was capable offensively while also costing ~3mil less than Eberle. Had McLellan given him an actual shot with McDavid, I think we'd be singing a different tune about that trade. - MaximumBone
Didn't Strome get a shot with McDavid and nothing came from it?
Edit: After further review, it didn't seem like that was the case. That's definitely on McLellan then.
If by nothing you mean a 3-1 goal share and great process numbers (including 66% SCF and 65% HDCF) in 58 minutes of time together, then yes. - MaximumBone
Yep, I had to recheck (used naturalstatrick) and it seemed like they had limited time together but the initial results are positive. You're right in that regard.
Oh, he isn't a bad player by any means. A good addition to any team to increase depth in their middle 6 (mainly on a third line). His deployment could have been better during his time here for sure.
Just feel like it was an unnecessary move that collapsed into a hole we are now trying to solve. - EdmHockeyMan
Had they not tied him to Lucic, he would've been fine and we'd be entirely content with our 3C right now.