theman wrote: ↑Mon Jun 17, 2019 4:56 pm
Jacob Trouba traded to NYR for their 1st (20th OV) and D Neal Pionk.
Its not an unfair trade, but I am surprised they couldn't get more. At least that return is better than White and Rahimi -- which might have seemed reasonable in the summer of 2008 instead of 2009, by which time it was pretty clear to Canucks prospects watchers knew that neither player was developing optimally.....
(And Trouba is comparable to where Ehrhoff was -- increasing offensive success to go along with top 4 ability, an expensive contract coming up, and the selling team not sold the player would continue to improve).
With Pionk, at least the Jets get an NHL player, but the idea that having played top 4 minutes for the Rangers he is a top 4 defenseman is like saying that any of the Canucks should-be-5-7-but-playing-top-4 guys is actually a top 4 guy. This is likely a serious downgrade, recognizing that that Pionk could potentially establish himself as a quality second pairing guy and with second unit PP duties (I wouldn't put my money on it, but it is certainly plausible).
But of course you will have an immediate downgrade when you trade a player with 1 year left on his deal. The first round pick is meant to offset that. And it might -- but by the time you get to the 20th overall, you are equally likely to get bust, role player, or impact player.
If I am the Jets, I would have tried to move out forwards and signed up Trouba long term. Trouba is very good, in my view, and still has another level he can achieve. There's not a ton of defensemen like that. With Hellebuyck hot and cold, Myers gone, Buff just another year from free agency (at which time he will be 36), the Jets' back end was already moving from quality to questionable. Without Trouba and Myers, this team moves from Stanley Cup contender to playoff bubble. Josh Morrissey can't play 40 minutes a night.