And we may trade Martin for a stay-at-home type. But people think if you trade Martin all the problems go away. They don't. You either trade him for a winger, and there's a massive hole in the blueline until one of our prospects are ready, or you trade him for a stay-at-home type who is a legit top 4 option, and then your cost saving in dumping Martin will probably be minimal...enough to sign a 4th line grinder, if any at all. We'd also have to add to get a bonafide shutdown defenseman, or overpay for one in free agency.
The best course for this team, IMO, is to keep Martin into next season, hope he turns his game around, hope Despres develops, and then trade him off when his value is hopefully higher than it is now. We're not going to get much for the guy at this point. GM's see his struggles, and then see his salary, and unless they want a reclamation project, they're probably going to pass.
Notice there's a lot of hopes in that paragraph.
See I just don't agree that there will be a massive hole if one of our young guys play in Martin's spot. Sure there will be rookie mistakes at the beginning, but if you give them time at the start of the season, they will be ready by the end of the season. We are seeing that right now with Philly, among other teams in the past. Plus I just can't see how any rookie can make as many bad plays as Martin has this season.
It's like the saying goes, "we lost with you, we can lose without you." Not exactly talking about the same thing, but the principle still applies.
See I just don't agree that there will be a massive hole if one of our young guys play in Martin's spot. Sure there will be rookie mistakes at the beginning, but if you give them time at the start of the season, they will be ready by the end of the season. We are seeing that right now with Philly, among other teams in the past. Plus I just can't see how any rookie can make as many bad plays as Martin has this season.
It's like the saying goes, "we lost with you, we can lose without you." Not exactly talking about the same thing, but the principle still applies.
Me not wanting Martin to be traded in favor of a young guy has almost nothing to do with Martin, and everything to do with the prospects. Say you throw Despres in there. Sure, he'd probably play admirably, but just being the NHL at this point for him is enough to have the water up around his neck. Let him play in the bottom 6 with consistency, and then give him what he earns. That will ensure you don't give him too much which could stunt his development.
That's my concern. Taking a guy, putting him in a position he isn't ready for, letting him play sink-or-swim, and then he doesn't have the proper time to mature, and he doesn't reach his fullest potential. Just let the natural course take it's place. Despres will show the coaching staff he's ready when he's ready. That could take 10 games, or that could take 80 games. Just let it be, and deal with the issue when we have to. We don't have to deal with it now, and I'm not about to sacrifice a prospects development for the sake of getting rid of a guy most just don't like.
Me not wanting Martin to be traded in favor of a young guy has almost nothing to do with Martin, and everything to do with the prospects. Say you throw Despres in there. Sure, he'd probably play admirably, but just being the NHL at this point for him is enough to have the water up around his neck. Let him play in the bottom 6 with consistency, and then give him what he earns. That will ensure you don't give him too much which could stunt his development.
That's my concern. Taking a guy, putting him in a position he isn't ready for, letting him play sink-or-swim, and then he doesn't have the proper time to mature, and he doesn't reach his fullest potential. Just let the natural course take it's place. Despres will show the coaching staff he's ready when he's ready. That could take 10 games, or that could take 80 games. Just let it be, and deal with the issue when we have to. We don't have to deal with it now, and I'm not about to sacrifice a prospects development for the sake of getting rid of a guy most just don't like.
That's all I'm saying. Maybe I'm being ignorant
I think a shutdown guy is needed.
Own your ignorance. There you go.
But it's predictable to see you go sarcastic in place of where you should have humility.
Me not wanting Martin to be traded in favor of a young guy has almost nothing to do with Martin, and everything to do with the prospects. Say you throw Despres in there. Sure, he'd probably play admirably, but just being the NHL at this point for him is enough to have the water up around his neck. Let him play in the bottom 6 with consistency, and then give him what he earns. That will ensure you don't give him too much which could stunt his development.
That's my concern. Taking a guy, putting him in a position he isn't ready for, letting him play sink-or-swim, and then he doesn't have the proper time to mature, and he doesn't reach his fullest potential. Just let the natural course take it's place. Despres will show the coaching staff he's ready when he's ready. That could take 10 games, or that could take 80 games. Just let it be, and deal with the issue when we have to. We don't have to deal with it now, and I'm not about to sacrifice a prospects development for the sake of getting rid of a guy most just don't like.
That's all I'm saying. Maybe I'm being ignorant
I don't know, maybe I'm being ignorant too . I just think Despres can handle the responsibility, especially if he's paired with Letang, who seems to shelter his defensive partner a great deal on most nights.
They could always re-sign Niskanen and use him as the #4 d-man and let Despres play on the 3rd pair until he gets up to speed though. I just think that if you start the year with him on the big club and give him consistent minutes, he's eventually going to be ready come playoff time. He's too talented not to be.
The thing that makes this a no brainer for me is the fact that Martin has looked like a rookie out there all year long, and we can get just as poor defensive play from a younger guy who has the potential to bring a lot more to the team after getting acclimated.
I don't know, maybe I'm being ignorant too . I just think Despres can handle the responsibility, especially if he's paired with Letang, who seems to shelter his defensive partner a great deal on most nights.
They could always re-sign Niskanen and use him as the #4 d-man and let Despres play on the 3rd pair until he gets up to speed though. I just think that if you start the year with him on the big club and give him consistent minutes, he's eventually going to be ready come playoff time. He's too talented not to be.
