No one here is saying that Pavel Zacha is a bad player - he isn't bad, but perhaps overrated. I think Zacha found a fit on the wing and both special teams, so he still is a useful player, just not what you would hope for in a #6 draft pick (but I don't blame him for that).
Now Rasmus Ristolainen is a bad player (analytically and objectively by NHL standards) for a number of years. For perspective, Buffalo has been looking to move him forever, and no other team has pulled the trigger on a deal. I'd rather overpay for Dougie Hamilton for 7 years and deal with the potential headaches in the 2nd half of that deal than have 1 year of Ristolainen. Heck, I would rather the Devils reunite with Adam Larsson for 3 years than have 1 year of Ristolainen.
Well thought out article, as always, Cj. With the picture you paint, I’m surprised you would even want him cheap.
And with the high profile analytics team the devils have, it‘s Hard to imagine them making a move that goes so much against the analytical assessment. Right?
If the Devils entertain trade talks with Buffalo, it should be for Sam Reinhart, not Ristolainen. He would be a great fit for the team (both in age and position), and you could perhaps use the Isles' first pick with perhaps Butcher and another prospect to get him. The only wrinkle might be signing him to a good deal (4-5 years, but I'm not sure what the AAV would be here - maybe $6M).
As long as you don't give up anything with value for him (or perceived value), I'm okay with a one year plug-in. I mean we aren't going to the playoffs, might as well go for Shane Wright...
Tell me how you really feel.
The good thing is if the Devils trade for him, we'll get all these article on how bad he is instead of articles about Zacha.
It's not about Zacha being 'bad.'
It's about him being worse than this year's point totals would suggest and, thus, his perceived value probably outweighing his actual value.
For a while, he was better in some ways (like the PK) than you would assume just looking at counting stats
No one here is saying that Pavel Zacha is a bad player - he isn't bad, but perhaps overrated. I think Zacha found a fit on the wing and both special teams, so he still is a useful player, just not what you would hope for in a #6 draft pick (but I don't blame him for that).
Now Rasmus Ristolainen is a bad player (analytically and objectively by NHL standards) for a number of years. For perspective, Buffalo has been looking to move him forever, and no other team has pulled the trigger on a deal. I'd rather overpay for Dougie Hamilton for 7 years and deal with the potential headaches in the 2nd half of that deal than have 1 year of Ristolainen. Heck, I would rather the Devils reunite with Adam Larsson for 3 years than have 1 year of Ristolainen.
Well thought out article, as always, Cj. With the picture you paint, I’m surprised you would even want him cheap.
And with the high profile analytics team the devils have, it‘s Hard to imagine them making a move that goes so much against the analytical assessment. Right?
If the Devils entertain trade talks with Buffalo, it should be for Sam Reinhart, not Ristolainen. He would be a great fit for the team (both in age and position), and you could perhaps use the Isles' first pick with perhaps Butcher and another prospect to get him. The only wrinkle might be signing him to a good deal (4-5 years, but I'm not sure what the AAV would be here - maybe $6M).
Why is a top 6 center a great position fit?
Reinhart is a right winger but he can play center. He had to play center this year because Eichel was hurt all year and well…it’s Buffalo.
As long as you don't give up anything with value for him (or perceived value), I'm okay with a one year plug-in. I mean we aren't going to the playoffs, might as well go for Shane Wright...