Dave's a mess wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:40 am
T.C. wrote: Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:23 am
playing devil's advocate here, but given the skill on display, maybe, you know, DON'T part ways with buch? i realize there is starting to be a log jam of prospects behind him that will be cheaper, and i'm all about letting the kids play, but how many times have we had high hopes for a good-looking prospect only to see them fizzle? buch is the real deal, and i'm starting to feel like it might be an error to trade him. granted, i'm not ready to part with the prospects either, just saying this is a real sophie's choice. i guess that's why army gets the big bucks.
For me the incoming prospects barely play into it. Granted I don't know what kind of deal Buch is looking for on his next contract, but it has all the makings of a regrettable contract due to Father Time. Love the player right now, but I always prefer the outcomes of Trader Doug to those of Contract Doug.
Buchnevich will be 30 at the end of his current contract (2025), and will likely (and rightfully) be looking for something along the lines of 6-8 years at around $9 mil AAV by then. The first couple of seasons would certainly be worth it, but after the first few years we'd be talking about him the way we're currently talking about Brayden Schenn, I'd LOVE for him to be here for another 4-5 years, through our 'retool' and then help lead us to another Cup victory, but the timing is just not right.
If we keep him to try to make playoff runs this year and next, many fans will be HOWLING that we let him 'walk for nothing' in 2025, instead of dealing him now when his 'value was highest.'