Kucherov for Mackinnon

[GavinC]

First cap league in signature (BoP), feel like Mackinnon is arguably the most valuable player in points only cap leagues. I'd be losing ~15 points, gaining $3.5 and ~2 years in age. For the Mackinnon owners out there, would you even do a 1:1 trade for Kucherov in a cap league? Thanks in advance!

[stevegamer]

You don't break out centers & wings, so it's reasonable. If you did, I'd likely say Kucherov is more valuable.

Depending on whether you you use AAV or actual salary, you'll save $3.2 million for the next 4 years, or some variable number that's close to that. MacKinnon actually signed a contract with no signing bonuses at all in the years he has left, which I find odd. However, Kucherov should be far cheaper for the 4 years remaining after that. So it depends on how you want to structure your cap hits.

[GavinC]

Yeah, we use straight cap hit. So $6.3 x 4 for Mac, $9.5 x 8 for Kuch. Providing Kucherov stays productive through his mid-30's, the back half of his deal will be a steal. Mackinnon will have gotten a massive raise by that point (probably to the tune of $15+?) But I'm not interested in that far out of an outlook anyway.

[Axeman33]

I'm sticking with Kuch for the full term of that deal.

[DusterDave]

Great trade short term (if you want to consider 4 years short term) but after that MacKinnon is going to get a massive raise. But if you are worrying about 4 years down the road you are playing fantasy wrong. Make the trade, gain some cap and spend it on an area of weakness.

[MZac]

Without forward positions as a consideration it's hard to argue against Mackinnon value for the next four seasons. I wouldnt look beyond that.

If you can easily make up 10-20ish points with the salary savings you probably have to strongly consider this trade. If you can make up 40 it's probably a slam dunk.

It's tough because no one has produced more points than kucherov over the past two seasons and there is no reason to believe that he won't be first or second next season.

[SeaDawg]

Mackinnon is by far the most valuable commodity in cap leagues (excluding McDavid, who is so good that I'd take him over Mackinnon regardless of salary).

I'd trade my Kucherov for Mackinnon without a second thought. Then again, my league uses actual salary, so Kucherov's $12 million this coming season really hurts (compared to Mackinnon's $6.75 million). As good as Kucherov is, he isn't worth twice the money Mackinnon is making.

[CascadeFilly]

I'm sticking with Kuch for the full term of that deal.

Agreed.

[lucafen4]

pretty close to a coin toss

[DusterDave]

pretty close to a coin toss

Which should tilt your preference to MacKinnon for the cap savings, no?

[lucafen4]

Which should tilt your preference to MacKinnon for the cap savings, no?

I'm cheap A.F. -- so I'd go Mack

[mounD]

MacKinnon is a better value, but it's tough to think about trading Kucherov at this point -- and considering his deal will be a greater value once MacK signs his next contract. I would honestly just keep Kucherov, he's at the height of his powers with an incredible supporting cast.

[GavinC]

Thanks for the feedbacks (rep'd where I could). Pretty much split right down the middle! The league in questions isn't that tough to manage the cap, most high-cost players end up rostered.

I also know it's not an apples to apples comparison, but at age 23 Kucherov wasn't a 90 point player, whereas Mac has two 95+ point seasons under his belt.

Anyway, overvaluing prospective production obviously, but that's where all the fun is :P

[j0hn_d0e]

If you need another opinion - my vote goes for Nathan MacKinnon. Just don't think too far from now and what his new deal will look like in 4 years... Its now time!