Corn Flake said:
cw said:
If Carter wants out, (his agent is denying he does but who wouldn't want out of Columbus right now
), I think the Leafs should try hard to get him.
I have never thought he was a franchise center because his passing ability isn't that hot (and therefore, he might not be the ideal center for Kessel). But he'd be a darn good center compared to what we've got on this club.
The issue naturally is what they'd have to give up. I'd have to give that some thought.
Agreed. He would shore up the 1st line centre position for a good long while. Even if he's not an elite centre, he's an all-star level guy who can put 35-40 away each year.
Voracek, 1st and a 3rd is what Columbus paid to get him. His value is no higher now than it was then for sure.
Still, I'd be knocking on the door and asking about Nash first, but zero complaints if Carter can be had.
They generally score about the same actually but what I like about Carter over Nash is his versatility. Wing/Center, probably a little better defensively than Nash also. A year younger (though that doesn't really matter). Not to mention his cap hit is about $2.6M less. And the fact it would likely take less to acquire Carter than Nash so all that adds up to me as the more attractive player.
It's quite possible that Carter outscores even Kessel over the next 5 years.
I've never been a big Kulemin guy. He's a jack of all trades, master of none type and while I like him, and while I would rather keep him than deal him, we are going to have to offer an 'attractive' piece to Columbus. They won't be taking back Lombardi for him.
I'd do my proposed deal in a sencond (or Kulemin + Kadri for Carter). Again, Carter is everything we want Kulemin to be. I have no doubt that in the next 6-7 seasons Carter will outscore Kulemin is probably 5-6 if not all of them.