Strangelove wrote:Mëds wrote:
The return on Edler and Schneider will definitely include a first round pick and a couple of prospects, who knows, maybe Edler gets a 1st too. Regardless, Gillis can actually load up for the future while still keeping this team in the contending mix next season. If he could get 2 picks in the top 15 of this draft he will have turned this team into a potential long term contender without having to go through what we saw in Edmonton and are about to see in Calgary. Not many GM's find themselves in a position to make their team much better in the future without sacrificing a helluvalot in the present. .
Sorry bro, but trading two of our top players for futures would ABSOLUTELY be "sacrificing a helluvalot in the present".
Not gonna happen, nor should it...
Not if it's those 2.
Schneider is 27 years old, Edler is 27 years old. Trading them for high picks and good prospects means losing a pair of players just entering their prime years. No argument there. However.....
Luongo is still here, and he will be Schneider's equal for another couple of seasons. That's 2 years to see if Lack or Ericsson have what it takes. If they don't then they don't and hopefully they have what it takes to grab a gear in the playoffs behind a stronger defense and offense. By that point I would hope that the scouting department has been directed to find some goaltending prospects.
If Edler is replaced by a more defensively responsible guy then that's fine, so long as the forward group is upgraded. If he is moved to acquire a guy like Letang, then so much the better (depending on price tag of course).
Think about it Doc. You maintain the level of play in goal and get a top forward prospect.
You maintain the level of play on the blueline and get a top prospect or draft pick. Future stuff. You replace Edler with someone who is slightly better defensively, even though he will probably not perform to the same level offensively, and you don't tank the team. Especially if his replacement is consistent in what he brings. Or you upgrade the offensive contribution (Letang), buyout Ballard, and upgrade the stay home defense.