Barrie vs. Carlson

[seanpj]

With Niskanen to the Caps, I'm not sure who to keep. I don't think Colorado is going to perform nearly as well this year, which means Barrie's production likely goes down. Alternatively, Carlson won't see nearly as much powerplay time, but is still a great shot-blocker. I had initially planned on keeping both, but then had Hornqvist added to the keeper list with the trade to the Pens, so somebody's gotta go and I'm leaning towards one of these two. Thoughts?

[Sulla]

Controversially I would potentially drop Chara over these two... Late 30s and is going to slow down at some point - could you trade him?

Before I saw what Washington did in FA Carlson would have been my choice but now the gap is much smaller - for me (and I agree with you re Avs) col has less options so I would go Barrie

[seanpj]

I have honesty thought about ditching Chara as well, but I'm not quite there yet. I do think he's got one or two more decent years left, plus if I recall correctly he had a much better second half of the year. I did try to trade him earlier in the year but not with much success. Could be something I could revisit though.

[Sulla]

For me then I would probably package Zuccarello (I'm not sure he is as good this year) and one of those d men for a better player in order to free up a keeper spot and upgrade the other

[Shoeless]

In the absence of a trade, I would drop Chara. It's close, but there is a time you have to fish or cut bait on the future and Barrie is just too good to let off the hook.

[vandalay]

As I mentioned in a previous thread about Carlson I don't know why Niskanen would be presumed to supplant Carlson from PP time. Niskanen is not even close to being some sort of PP specialist. He had a plum job fall into his lap in Pitts with Letang and Martin going down and Pitts had no other realistic option. Meanwhile Carlson has gradually been taking more and more of Green's PP time. To me if you are going to drop one of Barrie or Carlson you should keep the player that you like better. Don't worry about situational stuff. Things can change with either situation in the blink of an eye.

[Sulla]

I think his contract dictates that Washington will do everything to ensure they get percieved value for him - do I think he is a better pp option? No, do I think he will get all the best ice time at least initially? Yes

[HockeyProphet]

Keep Barrie.

Carlsson has been nothing but disappointing for me and I don't expect that to change. If anything, you could trade Chara and get more for him, then Carlsson

[plug]

I like Barrie then Chara then Carlson. But I've never valued Carlson as high as others do.