B. Schenn traded to Blues for J. Lehtera and a Conditional 1st in 2018

[hf101]

While the league looks to address the slashing of its stars next season with rule changes, Rutherford does exactly what he says he didn't want to do.

 

 

Quote

“I hear year after year how the league and everyone loves how the Penguins play,” said Penguins GM Jim Rutherford. “ ‘They play pure hockey and they skate.’ Well, now it’s going to have to change and I feel bad about it, but it’s the only way we can do it. We’re going to have to get one or two guys…and some of these games that should be just good hockey games will turn into a sh—show. We’ll go right back to where we were in the ’70s and it’s really a shame.”

 

[BobbyClarkeFan16]

I'm not sure if it's been posted anywhere else, but Schenn's 5on5 game might have lead to his trade. He had six goals 5on5 last year. Lehtera had 4 and played 15 less games. Think of that for a moment. As well, from everything that I've read this morning, Lehtera is going to be moved to the wing. So this upcoming year, we're possibly looking at the following lineup:

 

Lindblom - Giroux - Voracek

Lehtera - Couturier - Simmonds

Weal - Patrick - Konecny

Filppula - Laughton - Raffl

Read/Leier

 

Lehtera is also working out in Finland right now and is working with a professional trainer and is also taking power skating as per Andy Strickland. Obviously he's embarrassed by his performance last year in St. Louis, so it won't surprise me if we see a bounce back in Lehtera's performace next year. If he's a 40 point scorer again like he was in his rookie year, that's a bonus, especially if most of his scoring is at 5on5. Schenn just couldn't get it done 5on5. St. Louis is going to get a great PP performer and that's where Schenn's real value is.

 

As for Frost, this was a kid that just turned 18. I know that David Krejci comparisons have been made with regards to Frost's play, but there's another guy who I really see he resembles - Joe Pavelski. Frost is an absolute plus skater and thinks the game at high speed. He has one more growth spurt left, so I think we'll see a 6'1, 190 pound center when he's ready. He's also going to be the top guy in the Soo next year, so I expect his numbers to be even better. This was a really good pick. I know I say this a lot, but I really love the pipeline that Hextall has built. We're deep in defensemen, we're deep in goaltenders, we're deep in wingers and now we're starting to get deep in centers. I don't think the team has ever had a prospect base as deep as it is right now.

[terp]

5 hours ago, Podein25 said:

So, 7 pages in, not having read every post, this is my contribution: does Ron Hextall know what "elite" hockey sense looks like? Does anyone, truly?

 

I'm going to give the late bloomer Frosty a chance. I think I've seen "elite" hockey sense, recognized it's features, so I will have time to judge for myself. 

 

As far as #44th ranked vs 27th taken I say: meh. The difference isn't necessarily big. And often way off, because people systematically under value hockey sense. See Zetterberg, H DET.

 

In sum, I'm completely untroubled by the reach, but still prepared to judge Hexy for it if he's wrong. Did they interview Frosty, perhaps at the combine? Anybody know?

 

I'm pretty sure I read that Frosty crushed the combine, top 10 or other.  Will look for the reference.

 

Edit

Here it is:

 

The 22 OHL players participating included 16 forwards, five defencemen and one goaltender.

 

Standout OHL testing performances included Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds forward Morgan Frost who had top-10 finishes in six different events including a first place result in the Wingate Bike Test’s Mean Power Output. 

[ruxpin]

25 minutes ago, BobbyClarkeFan16 said:

 

I'm not sure if it's been posted anywhere else, but Schenn's 5on5 game might have lead to his trade. He had six goals 5on5 last year. Lehtera had 4 and played 15 less games. Think of that for a moment. As well, from everything that I've read this morning, Lehtera is going to be moved to the wing. So this upcoming year, we're possibly looking at the following lineup:

 

Lindblom - Giroux - Voracek

Lehtera - Couturier - Simmonds

Weal - Patrick - Konecny

Filppula - Laughton - Raffl

Read/Leier

 

Yeah, 5 on 5 was killer. 

 

Your lines. I'd prefer to see Lehtera with Filppula and maybe Raffl. But I'm okay so long as Konecny goes back to the left side. Courtier had an interesting end to the season so maybe try him at 2C like you have, but I'd be very quick to flip him with Patrick (or Filppula if you don't want Patrick up that high yet). 

 

All this assuming they're done. I'm thinking maybe they're not. 

[ruxpin]

Is Laughton making the big team this year? 

 

I'm thinking no. And I'm wondering if with Patrick's arrival and with the glut of centers that Laughton's window in Philly just closed. 

 

I'm just thinking something and the first next year gets you something considerable. Might as well be Laughton. 

[icehole]

1 hour ago, ruxpin said:

I'm sorry but based on what?   Based on the snark in your last paragraph?

 

He hurt every line he played on.  He was a square peg in a round hole.   As good as he should be?  At 5th overall, you'd think he could play 5 on 5...even a little.   He'd periodically have a 3-5 game stretch where you get tricked into thinking, "okay, he's actually starting to get it," only to return to Captain Bumblef###.   

 

Seriously.he had a total of 8 goals and 19 assists on regular strength.  Yeah, I know all about the 17g and 11a on the power play, but $5.2M is a lot to pay for a power play specialist forward who does nothing the other 12-15 minutes per game he's on the ice.  If "nothing" were as bad as it gets, that might be okay.  But he actually hurts his line, no matter what line he's on.   And his presence on the left wing --because he is horrible in the faceoff circle and not a center -- forces Konecny to play on his off wing.  That's actually a little more of a handicap than it might seem.

 

Schenn is Shenn.  On a team that might be able to afford an extra left winger who only really plays 4-5 minutes per game because they only know where to go when the puck is in the offensive end and they have additional space because it's on the power play, that's maybe fine.   But when he doesn't really fit on any line, when he screws every single line they put him on, when he blocks another player from their actual position because you're keeping him around for the power play and you stumble on a deal where you can save money AND get two first-round picks...what are we talking about again?  I certainly don't see how anyone could argue with a straight face that he's playing as good as he should be as a #5 pick.   He's not a complete player.  Knowing now what wasn't then, I doubt anyone takes him in the top 20, let alone #5.

 

With that, I do this trade.  And then you add this:  What's the big deal about the extra year off the cap this gets because of the fact Lehtera is gone a year earlier than Schenn?   BOTH Konecny and Provorov are going to be RFAs that season and Provorov, in particular, is going to need to get paid.   That extra $5.25M for that season is going to make a huge difference.

Based on #5 comparables.  He's not at the top of #5s and he's certainly not a bust.  He's just about in the middle.  So 50+ points isn't good enough for a #5, but 6 years without at least 40 points is great for a #8?  27pts on 5 on 5...he seriously had that many?  I didn't realize it was that high.  7 more points and he'd have the same amount of 5 on 5 points as someone that gets paid about the same has total...even with a big burst in the last 20 games or so.  Yet, he's a steal at his salary?

 

So do you love this trade or are you just ok with it?  Sounds like some hate it and some are ok with it.  Nobody seems to love it.  That makes me think that it wasn't such a great idea.

 

So if this sets them up to pay guys when the time comes, what happens when the guys from last year need to get paid...and then the guys from this year...and then the guys next year?  Why are we thinking about provorov getting paid already...can we just worry about putting a decent team together for once?  Salary can always be moved around when the time comes.

 

Losing schenn for what they got in return makes this team worse for at least 3 years.  Not saying they won't get better within 3 years (hoping that some of these prospects pan out), but losing shenn takes a step back until those player do pan out and score 50+ points.

[jammer2]

10 hours ago, Philly29 said:

I want him, Flyers make it happen.

 

Also thank you for the info on the comparison, it was a shot in the dark kinda question.

 

 Ask and you shall recieve....LOL, I even got the exact picks right that Hexy should send to get Ratcliffe!!  A 2nd and 2 3rd's!! Jammer ON HIS GAME!!!   LOL!

[ruxpin]

21 minutes ago, icehole said:

Based on #5 comparables.  He's not at the top of #5s and he's certainly not a bust.  He's just about in the middle.  So 50+ points isn't good enough for a #5, but 6 years without at least 40 points is great for a #8?  27pts on 5 on 5...he seriously had that many?  I didn't realize it was that high.  7 more points and he'd have the same amount of 5 on 5 points as someone that gets paid about the same has total...even with a big burst in the last 20 games or so.  Yet, he's a steal at his salary?

 

So do you love this trade or are you just ok with it?  Sounds like some hate it and some are ok with it.  Nobody seems to love it.  That makes me think that it wasn't such a great idea.

 

So if this sets them up to pay guys when the time comes, what happens when the guys from last year need to get paid...and then the guys from this year...and then the guys next year?  Why are we thinking about provorov getting paid already...can we just worry about putting a decent team together for once?  Salary can always be moved around when the time comes.

 

Losing schenn for what they got in return makes this team worse for at least 3 years.  Not saying they won't get better within 3 years (hoping that some of these prospects pan out), but losing shenn takes a step back until those player do pan out and score 50+ points.

I love the trade. Love it. 

With the caveat that I'm not excited about Lehtera. He's a throw in. IMO, he's more of the same type that we have with Read, Raffl, etc.  He's more versatile than Schenn, but I agree that a team of versatile also means you have a team of replaceable meh. 

 

Schenn isn't a bust. He's at best an average #5 but that's a waste of a #5.  But more importantly, he simply doesn't fit in this team. Aside from producing little and floating a lot, he actually hampers every single line he's on. 

 

So if he doesn't fit, doesn't produce on 5v5, do you let him age and let him show the rest of the league that he might not fit on their teams either or, when presented with this offer, do you grab the two firsts (even if you also have to take Lehtera). 

 

I absolutely do this now. Twice. I understand the counter opinion and folks are welcome to it. I don't default to cheerleading or glass half full, but I happen to really like this. 

 

Lastly, the reference to Couturier (I'm laughing at your avoiding his name. That was awesome). I think that's a decent point. I think the answer is that he does a lot in other aspects. Faceoffs, PK, defense, etc.  That's the "company line," anyway. Even assuming that's true (not a given) that only gets you so far. You still have to have someone that can put the puck in the net. Whether PP or regular strength a goal is a goal right?  And Couturier does little of either. 

 

I can't tell you why Couturier gets the money and Schenn gets the door (except "company line," which I'm not entirely on board with). Other than that,  as a center Couturier still has two places he can possibly slot while Schenn really doesn't fit.  With Filpulla, Patrick, Lehtera and Laughton, maybe Couturier doesn't either. 

[jammer2]

59 minutes ago, BobbyClarkeFan16 said:

Frost is an absolute plus skater and thinks the game at high speed. He has one more growth spurt left, so I think we'll see a 6'1, 190 pound center when he's ready. He's also going to be the top guy in the Soo next year, so I expect his numbers to be even better. This was a really good pick. I know I say this a lot, but I really love the pipeline that Hextall has built. We're deep in defensemen, we're deep in goaltenders, we're deep in wingers and now we're starting to get deep in centers. I don't think the team has ever had a prospect base as deep as it is right now.

 

 I was thinking the exact same thing, Frost is young enough he still has some growing to do. Literally every position is covered by Hexy, deep....deep prospect pool he built, the best I've ever seen on the Flyers!

[jammer2]

11 hours ago, Philly29 said:

I want him, Flyers make it happen.

 

Also thank you for the info on the comparison, it was a shot in the dark kinda question.

 

 Ratcliffe = JVR with heart and tenacity!!

[Philly29]

11 minutes ago, jammer2 said:

 

 Ask and you shall recieve....LOL, I even got the exact picks right that Hexy should send to get Ratcliffe!!  A 2nd and 2 3rd's!! Jammer ON HIS GAME!!!   LOL!

Ratcliffe baby good job Jammer!!!

[Philly29]

4 minutes ago, jammer2 said:

 

 Ratcliffe = JVR with heart and tenacity!!

Dude that would be freaking sweet, plus hes even bigger than JVR. I just woke up, I turned the draft on and seen the Flyers got Ratcliffe I started yelling freaking out dude that is awesome you called it exactly man good deal!

[vis]

@ruxpin

 

2 hours ago, canoli said:

 

except that it's an ugly step backward. Lehtera is a 29-year old dud who doesn't kill penalties, who's got no shot, no hands in close, i.e. he doesn't score goals. And he's got a cap hit so similar to BSchenn's the difference isn't worth mentioning. Great, we save a year....what does that remind me of? oh right Hartnell for Umberger.

 

I thought Hextall made it clear he was going for a 5-year (max) turnaround. And he's been successful pursuing that. BSchenn? Seemed to me he was part of the longer-term plan - he's still young, still growing as a player (but yes, also showing signs he's hit his ceiling), was pretty much a lock to score 25... but okay, no great loss (except on the PP), he's not exactly a heart 'n soul kind of guy. But dragging over Lehtera is an unnecessary expense. Another center who doesn't score goals...greeeeaat...//sarcasm.

 

Hopefully Lehtera never suits up in the O&B because the Flyers don't need him at all. The picks are nice but this wasn't supposed to be a Better-Part-Of-A-Decade rebuild. I thought we were approaching Year 3 of the 5-year plan. We'll see.

Agree with this.  That was the anticipated timeline (probably more like five years) for the proverbial "window" to open when Hextall took over.  But now they are heading into year four (after regressing in year 3) and people are saying maybe another three or five years until the window opens ?  How is that acceptable?  Hextall seems to get a pass for the failure of this team to progress much in three years because folks are too enamored with draft picks who might crack the lineup in three years.  That's is mainly why I am critical of this trade.  Keep kicking that can down the road...

 

To tie this back to a related topic, if the window isn't supposed to open for yet another three/five years, why are Giroux and Voracek still here?  Hextall should be actively trying to deal them and acquire picks or young prospects.  No need to keep them around that long while their skills and value continue to decline.  If you really believe you need another three or five years, blow this entire team up and start again.  Would only be the third time in the last decade or so.

[aziz]

49 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

So if he doesn't fit, doesn't produce on 5v5, do you let him age and let him show the rest of the league that he might not fit on their teams either or, when presented with this offer, do you grab the two firsts (even if you also have to take Lehtera). 

 

i've noticed something after reading this kind of reasoning for this trade (i should say, i think what you said is exactly the thinking and why the trade was made):  for the last 5 years, every summer the flyers get a little bit worse, in the name of building for the future.  whereas before, the flyers were constantly removing future potential in the name of short term success.  it's a fine concept, but isn't it starting to get depressing, going into every season thinking, "well, they aren't going to be great, but it's about the future"?  the first wave of "for the future" is now being shipped out "for the future".  remember that?  schenn came in trade for the previous "for the future", which was being shipped out because they'd only managed to be pretty good, instead of great.  we're three generations of "for the future" into this, now.

 

i'm starting to think this can be a cycle that never really has to stop, an almost compulsive need for hope rather than results.  schenn never lived up to his pre-draft potential, but was still a fairly high end forward that had a role.  the flyers will definitely be worse off for his absence, next season.  and the one after that, probably.  until maybe one day, the draft-pick roll of the dice pays off.  except, doing this every year on end, those drafted players eventually become the trade fodder themselves, for more dice rolls.  cycle of the flyers' rosters' life, at this point.

 

i dunno.  

[vis]

wrong thread.

[vis]

7 minutes ago, aziz said:

i'm starting to think this can be a cycle that never really has to stop, an almost compulsive need for hope rather than results.  schenn never lived up to his pre-draft potential, but was still a fairly high end forward that had a role.  the flyers will definitely be worse off for his absence, next season.  and the one after that, probably.  until maybe one day, the draft-pick roll of the dice pays off.  except, doing this every year on end, those drafted players eventually become the trade fodder themselves, for more dice rolls.  cycle of the flyers' rosters' life, at this point.

Exactly right.  I am not critical of the Schenn trade because I thought he was any great shakes.  I was critical because of the concept above.  Great post.

[csummers]

Its Hartnell for Umberger 2.0. Yay, you get out of a contract one year sooner but you are forced for a couple more years to watch a guy who is not as good as what you traded away,does not make the team better, is almost untradeable, and makes enough money that they are forced to just keep putting him out there..

[ruxpin]

58 minutes ago, vis said:

@ruxpin

 

Agree with this.  That was the anticipated timeline (probably more like five years) for the proverbial "window" to open when Hextall took over.  But now they are heading into year four (after regressing in year 3) and people are saying maybe another three or five years until the window opens ?  How is that acceptable?  Hextall seems to get a pass for the failure of this team to progress much in three years because folks are too enamored with draft picks who might crack the lineup in three years.  That's is mainly why I am critical of this trade.  Keep kicking that can down the road...

 

To tie this back to a related topic, if the window isn't supposed to open for yet another three/five years, why are Giroux and Voracek still here?  Hextall should be actively trying to deal them and acquire picks or young prospects.  No need to keep them around that long while their skills and value continue to decline.  If you really believe you need another three or five years, blow this entire team up and start again.  Would only be the third time in the last decade or so.

 

I agree with the post in principle assuming the bolded is correct, but I don't subscribe to that.   I guess it depends upon the definition of "window."  Are we talking strictly Cup?  I think we're legitimate threats by year 3 (from today).   But that's year 6 from the beginning of this, so I'm okay with being a year off on the "plan."    If what we're drafting now are the one or two rookies on the team, well that's cool.  Sometimes Cup teams have contributing rookies.

 

I'm not sure whether it was you or someone else, so I'm not trying to put words in your mouth, but others have mentioned some trades that they don't give Hextall a pass on.  One of which was the Hartnell trade for Umberger.  I suppose that did ultimately help us with some cap stuff, but I've never been a fan.  I was pretty much done with Hartnell at that point, but you really can't argue for Umberger with a straight face.  Even then.   And a couple other trades that made you scratch your head (that I can't come up with at the moment but know exist).   And I'm not a huge fan of some of the contract extensions.   Couturier, for example.   And Schenn, really.   So, I'm not worshiping at the altar.  I didn't get the smarmy bastard moniker for being Mr. Blindly Optimistic.   It's funny, by the way, that you quoted a guy that usually is.  But he watches more Olympic hockey than me and I'm not human, so that explains that.

 

Your point about Claude and Jake are valid.  For sure.   But in 3 years Jake will be 30.   Claude will start that season at 32.   The smarmy/snark answer to "why are they still here" is because both were given ridiculous, hard-to-move contracts that they're going to struggle to earn.   But aside from that, at 30 and 32 they will be among the oldest on the team (as it stands now) and will be the veteran leadership.    Maybe by then they still provide that but not from the first line.  Maybe--I said maybe--Patrick and Ratliffe (or Konecny, or someone not here yet) are the first line and Claude & Jake are second or whatever.  Maybe.

 

But with the defense, etc., and what we have now, I don't think 3 years is absurd.   But I would also expect to be a hell of a lot more competitive between now and then (except that we are going with Neuvy and whatever in net!).  

 

So, ultimately, this is why I'm okay.   We continue to feed the pipeline and got rid of a guy who, while productive in some way but inconsistent in others, simply didn't have a good fit on the team.  I just don't think keeping Schenn actually moves UP the 3 year window.   I don't think Schenn, who didn't really have a home anywhere, alters the time frame positively or negatively at all.   So, while I completely get the frustration with the continued 3-5 year talk, I:  1) Don't buy that it's longer than 3, which is only 1 more than originally advertised and 2)Don't think this trade affects it negatively in any way so don't find it really relevant.

 

As an overall observation, though, I absolutely find the 3-5 year (year 4 & 5, especially) to be a frustration.  I'll be 49 in two months.  I'm not getting any younger! 

[ruxpin]

17 minutes ago, csummers said:

Its Hartnell for Umberger 2.0. Yay, you get out of a contract one year sooner but you are forced for a couple more years to watch a guy who is not as good as what you traded away,does not make the team better, is almost untradeable, and makes enough money that they are forced to just keep putting him out there..

 

In some respects, but Lehtera is better at this point than Umberger (and, honestly, I'm not sure Schenn is as good as Hartnell was when he left, especially from a character standpoint).  I think he's moveable for a 4-6 round draft pick (more at a deadline if you're doing really well with the trade).   Pretend it's only a 6th.   I'm still okay with Schenn for 2 first rounders and a sixth rounder.  YMMV

[ruxpin]

1 hour ago, aziz said:

 

i've noticed something after reading this kind of reasoning for this trade (i should say, i think what you said is exactly the thinking and why the trade was made):  for the last 5 years, every summer the flyers get a little bit worse, in the name of building for the future.  whereas before, the flyers were constantly removing future potential in the name of short term success.  it's a fine concept, but isn't it starting to get depressing, going into every season thinking, "well, they aren't going to be great, but it's about the future"? -- Yes. It does.  But the "hope" does mitigate it slightly.  the first wave of "for the future" is now being shipped out "for the future".  remember that?  schenn came in trade for the previous "for the future", which was being shipped out because they'd only managed to be pretty good, instead of great.  we're three generations of "for the future" into this, now.

 

i'm starting to think this can be a cycle that never really has to stop, an almost compulsive need for hope rather than results.  schenn never lived up to his pre-draft potential, but was still a fairly high end forward that had a role.  the flyers will definitely be worse off for his absence, next season.  and the one after that, probably.  --this is the part I don't agree with, though. Continued below.  until maybe one day, the draft-pick roll of the dice pays off.  except, doing this every year on end, those drafted players eventually become the trade fodder themselves, for more dice rolls.  cycle of the flyers' rosters' life, at this point. -- I get this fear.  I think it's valid.

 

i dunno.  

 

I don't think we're worse off for his absence.   You've read my other posts (condolences) by now, so I won't sledgehammer the response, but...

 

He does nothing for me on 5v5. He's in the way.  I mean, he was even on the 4th line for a bit.  He hampers every line he's on.   And again, before this trade yesterday, someone put together lines based on Patrick and someone else had to respond with, "What about Schenn?"   I forget who the poster was, but they actually completely forgot about Schenn.  Why?  Because he really doesn't fit.  Yeah, the power play.  But maybe someone else (Konecny, Patrick, who knows) moves up to that slot and you don't really miss it at all?   But what I won't miss is his screwing up every single line he's on.  I've said multiple times that I don't hate Schenn, but I know that's getting harder and harder to believe with every post!   I honestly don't.  I just think he doesn't fit on this team.   

 

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, is that it does open up a natural spot for Konecny.  Now, this only matters if you believe that Konecny will succeed there.  I do.  I think he had a difficult year and a head coach (a subject for another thread) that had a really short leash on him.  The second part won't necessarily change, but I think the kid has a much better chance of doing his thing if you put him where he naturally fits.   So, even with just that, I think a line works better with him at left wing than it would with Schenn.

 

I really don't think Schenn will be missed nearly as much as what people are making out.  That said, even if Schenn only does what he's been doing the last two years, I think St. Louis will feel good about it.  Each got what they needed, I think.

 

YMMV (I've twice stolen this from rad in this thread.  Sue me).

 

Good to see you posting, aziz.  You're a good read, and I miss it.

[ruxpin]

1 hour ago, vis said:

Exactly right.  I am not critical of the Schenn trade because I thought he was any great shakes.  I was critical because of the concept above.  Great post.

 

Yeah.  Definitely a valid concern.  (no sarcasm)

[brelic]

43 minutes ago, csummers said:

Its Hartnell for Umberger 2.0. Yay, you get out of a contract one year sooner but you are forced for a couple more years to watch a guy who is not as good as what you traded away,does not make the team better, is almost untradeable, and makes enough money that they are forced to just keep putting him out there..

 

True, but Hartnell is 35, on the decline (13 goals, 37 points) and two more years to go. He would be in the way here. This way, Hextall gets his youth movement quicker. 

[brelic]

@aziz isn't it starting to get depressing, going into every season thinking, "well, they aren't going to be great, but it's about the future"?

 

Just to piggyback on @ruxpin's post, i would add that the major difference is that when we become a competitive team, Hextall is building us in such a way that there is a constant supply of developing talent in the pipeline to keep us competitive.

 

Under Homer, it was all about the short term, big name trades and signings, at the expense of developing our own talent. I will always remember Hextall's quote that when he was here as AGM under Homer in the final year or two, they were at a Phantoms game, and Hexy asked Homer how many players on the Phantoms were drafted by the Flyers. I think it was two or four. Either way, that says a lot about the way Homer operated. Eighteen or twenty guys were from elsewhere. 

 

The first wave of guys are playing on the team now, a second wave is coming this season, third wave is being developed, and the fourth wave was drafted last year and this year.

 

I love his approach.

[csummers]

2 minutes ago, brelic said:

 

True, but Hartnell is 35, on the decline (13 goals, 37 points) and two more years to go. He would be in the way here. This way, Hextall gets his youth movement quicker. 

 Same problem though, the team is worse for two years with lehtera over schenn and there is zero argument against that. The countdown till lehtera comes off the books will begin by about christmas. Then its just about waiting for the next "window".

[ruxpin]

2 minutes ago, csummers said:

 Same problem though, the team is worse for two years with lehtera over schenn and there is zero argument against that. The countdown till lehtera comes off the books will begin by about christmas. Then its just about waiting for the next "window".

 

I have several arguments against the entire post.  First among many is that it's not Lehtera that's replacing Schenn.  It's Patrick and/or Konecny.   I won't repeat the other arguments as they've been made already.