Minooka Meatball wrote:
(Shaw fanboy disclaimer)
I responded earlier without knowing that Shaw is RFA after this season. He's making $2.5M this season, so I would imagine he'll get a bump to at the very least 3 for his next deal. Ladd's hit is currently $4.5M, but this season his numbers are off from a stellar season a year ago. Still, I can't see him signing for much less, unless he is willing to accept a one-year low-ball offer to stick with a contender he is familiar with, while not hog-tieing the cap.
Teuvo is still young at 21, but I have not seen much progression from him (relatively short NHL career noted). While he has some talent, the level of talent he has shown is not enough to overcome his lack of size (as opposed to the Kanes, Panarins and Shaws of this world). I don't think his ceiling is very high; even so, once his current deal is over, he will get more than $1M from someone - I just don't know if it will be the Hawks.
Shaw, IMO, and a couple of recent games notwithstanding, has matured a bit, especially once he was moved to the top line to help spark it. He also is one of the few on the team that is willing to stand in front of the net and pay the price, let alone be physical when needed. He still has the tendency to make a boneheaded play, but not nearly as much as previous years. He never seems to take a game off, unlike others.
Ladd is bigger and can produce more than Shaw (providing this season is an anomaly), but again, he's 30 and more expensive down the road if you wish to keep him. There must be a reason why the Jets are hitching their wagon to Big Buff (also 30) for $8M, and apparently willing to listen to deals for their captain.
If you are going to go after Ladd as a rent-a-player, I would be much more willing to give up guys like Teuvo, Rassmussen, Mash, et, al, than a proven X-factor like Shaw. If you know you can keep Ladd for an extra season or two and not destroy what little cap space you have, then go ahead and let Shaw go.
Teuvo as been good defensively and I don't know that comparisons to Kane and panarin are fair. I'm not all about him, I don't notice him most of the time, but that may not be a bad thing.
I love shaw and would be sad to see him go. I liked Ladd but haven't kept track of him.
I hate saying this, I think our problem with the first line is hossa. I'd like to see Teuvo on the first line just to see but I'd hate it at the same time.