NJD/VAN - Gamblin' Man

[Chris]

To New Jersey:
Kyle Beach
SJS 2nd Round Entry Level Pick

To Vancouver:
Nikita Kucherov

[Scott]

Hate giving up on Nikita but I confirm.

I hate you Chris

[Chris]

Prepared for the backlash!

A few things about Kucherov. He's considered to have top-five talent, maybe better in this past draft. What killed his stock is the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and the KHL, as well as the fact that he's under contract for two more years (maybe one, depending a specific clause in his current contract with CSKA Moscow).

Why did I do this? A few reasons.
a) He showed up for the combined and explicitly stated that he's coming to North America when his contract runs out.
b) His parents work in New York as liaisons.
c) His work ethic and feel for the game are exceptional.

I have a feeling that he'll be making a name for himself at the WJCs this year.

Scott obviously felt the same way, but I'm in a position where I'm not contending and want to put together a team of elite-level talents. I'm not going to half-ass the process.

[Scott]

Nikita Kucherov would've been a top 10 pick if not for the Russian factor.. I don't care what anyone says. The kid's pure beast but I like the h2h value Beach offers and how much closer he is to the NHL then Nikita.

Solid deal imho

[Robin Hood]

Big win for Scott

[Scott]

Big win for Scott

Small win, if at all..

[Tony]

Prepared for the backlash!

A few things about Kucherov. He's considered to have top-five talent, maybe better in this past draft. What killed his stock is the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and the KHL, as well as the fact that he's under contract for two more years (maybe one, depending a specific clause in his current contract with CSKA Moscow).

Why did I do this? A few reasons.
a) He showed up for the combined and explicitly stated that he's coming to North America when his contract runs out.
b) His parents work in New York as liaisons.
c) His work ethic and feel for the game are exceptional.

I have a feeling that he'll be making a name for himself at the WJCs this year.

Scott obviously felt the same way, but I'm in a position where I'm not contending and want to put together a team of elite-level talents. I'm not going to half-ass the process.

thank you for the dissertation, professor ...

[Robin Hood]

Big win for Scott

Small win, if at all..

Talk to me in 1 year. Kucherov will still be a prospect in the KHL, Beach will be a candidate to crack an NHL roster, and that 2nd might just land you a 6th d-man or an 11th forward.

[Scott]

Big win for Scott

Small win, if at all..

Talk to me in 1 year. Kucherov will still be a prospect in the KHL, Beach will be a candidate to crack an NHL roster, and that 2nd might just land you a 6th d-man or an 11th forward.

This is precisely why I made this deal. Beach is way closer to the NHL and I like having waiver exempt depth. Also, Beach projects to have some good h2h value..

[Chris]

Big win for Scott

Small win, if at all..

Talk to me in 1 year. Kucherov will still be a prospect in the KHL, Beach will be a candidate to crack an NHL roster, and that 2nd might just land you a 6th d-man or an 11th forward.

By the end of the WJCs, Kucherov's value will have quadrupled, if not more. I'm a fan of Beach, but not a fan of the opportunities for him. It's also said that this is a keeper league. That's essentially the point - investments in the right places. Risky trade? Of course? Rewarding? Scott will tell you that if Kucherov hits his ceiling, Beach + 2nd would be more of a low-ball than Stalberg for Toews.

[shooker]

I personally dont think it is as big of a loss as some others do, Beach is a loose canon himself making him anything but a garuntee for the nhl. I see boom or bust on both sides of this deal.

[MSP4LYFE]

I like Kucherov, but to call him a top 5 or top 10 talent is a joke...This is a kid who was a relative unknown until the U18 when he exploded alongside Mikhail Grigorenko (the same guy scouts are comparing to Evgeni Malkin). Not saying he isn't talented, but let's observe him over a longer period than one tournament before anointing him a top 10 talent...Not to mention that he is listed at 160llbs. and criticized for his disappearing acts on the ice.

Kyle Beach is not without his flaws either, but because of the progression (AHL v. MHL) I have to give the edge to Scott. That said I can respect taking a risk on a potential upper echelon talent.

[Chris]

I like Kucherov, but to call him a top 5 or top 10 talent is a joke...This is a kid who was a relative unknown until the U18 when he exploded alongside Mikhail Grigorenko (the same guy scouts are comparing to Evgeni Malkin). Not saying he isn't talented, but let's observe him over a longer period than one tournament before anointing him a top 10 talent...Not to mention that he is listed at 160llbs. and criticized for his disappearing acts on the ice.

Kyle Beach is not without his flaws either, but because of the progression (AHL v. MHL) I have to give the edge to Scott. That said I can respect taking a risk on a potential upper echelon talent.

I do have my limits. You can ask Scott what I thought of his initial proposal.

I think in terms of "risk-taking" I'm likely finished. I spent a great deal of the off-season looking for ways to "buy-low" on players who I feel have elite-level offensive and H2H upside. Exampe: If Ekman-Larsson is half the player I think he is, trading Kassian and Rundblad for him was the easiest decision I ever made. With all respect to bergey, I'm pretty happy with what I have managed to accomplished. Where there was no superstar upside when I took over, I'm now loaded with talent from top-to-bottom (save for centre). Kucherov was a good way to punctuate that philosophy. I'll like take on additional risks as the season wears on, but I think I'm essentially finished with the massive roster turnover I've done so far.

As the saying goes, "Go big or go home."

[MSP4LYFE]

Fair enough.

[fedro91]

I personally dont think it is as big of a loss as some others do, Beach is a loose canon himself making him anything but a garuntee for the nhl. I see boom or bust on both sides of this deal.

I agree but Scott got Beach and a 2nd . So the 2nd give Scott the edge for now.

[Arian The Insider]

i thought kucherov was better than rnh?

[Shep]

Kucherov has much better offensive potential, Beach will have better perhiphs.

MEH!

[kimmer]

This is like paying Andy Greene + + for Nikita Filatov two years ago!

[Chris]

This is like paying Andy Greene + + for Nikita Filatov two years ago!

How so? Andy Greene is an NHL'er -- then and now. Beach is a high-risk prospect who's struggling in camp right now. It's now been more than 3 years since his draft, and he's shown little sign of adding structure to his game.

[kimmer]

yeah just talking about Filatov actually. Greene's a bad example