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I would hesitate to re-sign Kane at this stage of his career. He is still a good player but not as dynamic as he used to be. If they can only keep one of them give me Tarasenko.
Chytil is a 3rd line player who averages about 4 minutes less ice time per game than Thomas (arguably the Blues top C).
Maybe the problem isn't developing forwards so much as it is drafting forwards? That was the same draft class they took Lias Anderson with the 7th overall pick. at least he is finding success in the AHL...but that was a horrible pick when taken after him were players like Middlestadt, Necas, Suzuki and (oh my god 31 picks later) Robertson.
There are 5 other forwards drafted in the 1st round with Chytil who have outscored him. That's it...he is coming along just fine on a team who has more talent stacked in front of him than any of those other forwards.
And you can even argue the approach the Rangers took with him (and Kakko/Laf) will allow the Rangers to keep these players on the roster at a reasonable cost when they have a lot of cap space tied up with a handful of high priced veterans.
Yes, because of their under development we will be able to sign them to extended contracts below what they would have gotten if they were putting up big numbers, so that is a "benefit" of holding them back.
On the other hand, as Dump mentioned above, would we have needed to go out and get Kane/Tara this year, or Vatrano last year, if Kakko and Lafreniere were putting up 2nd line #s? probably not. Or we could have instead used whatever we gave up for them to bring in scrappy 3rd liners to make us more physical and make us more well rounded, as some have mentioned recently that we are very skill-heavy and may lack physicality.
Are you telling me no other teams make trades for vets come the trade deadline?
The Rangers are the only team that does this apparently.
Btw..some guy name Pavel is doing wonders for the Blues...they did a great job developing him.