Deadline Deal: Hertl for Hathaway

[Smurf54]

Throwing this out to the Dobber community. Another GM in my league (details in signature) is sitting second last and is certainly out of the playoffs. He is looking to offload some players, one of which is Garnet Hathaway. We're in a multi-cat league, and Hathaway is a good fit for our categories, currently ranked 75th overall. He also has a great playoff schedule, with the Caps playing Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun in the championship round.

I'm currently in first, with a strong offensive team, but could use some more grit. Has has asked for Hertl in exchange for Hathaway.

I'm torn. Hertl is clearly the better player long term. So I hate to move him. But Hathaway has cats I need, has a better ranking this year, and a better schedule in the finals, which is my primary focus at this point (I am all but certain to finish first in the regular season). And I have some tough keeper decisions to make, so it's hard to say if Hertl stays with me after this season anyway.

so I am throwing it out there. Would you trade Hertl for Hathaway in my situation?

Trade deadline is tonight, so appreciate any feedback!

[PenguinHunter]

Are you able to squeeze a pick upgrade out of him as well.

I totally understand the dilemma you are going through... how do you trade a player like Hertl for Hathaway.

But if it helps you win and won't effect your team next year... then you got to try making the move.
You may never have a chance to be this close to winning again.

but if you can get a slight pick upgrade, I would try to stretch it a bit.

[stevegamer]

It's won now versus win later. If you know you won't keep Hertl, it's fine, but I'd aim for a small pick upgrade as PenguinHunter said.

[als_revenge]

If you aren't sure he will make your Keep 15 list, do you really want to punt this deal on a pick upgrade? Overpaying in this situation is normal, IMO.

[Bubba55]

If you aren't sure he will make your Keep 15 list, do you really want to punt this deal on a pick upgrade? Overpaying in this situation is normal, IMO.

Agreed, an over payment to get exactly what you need is pretty much par for the course. However, I don't think asking for a slight late mid round pick upgrade would be a deal breaker. His 6th for your 8th as an example. I don't think asking for that will be hugely insulting to the other guy and if he does'nt like, fine, take the deal as is.

[chuckcouples]

Unless you are getting the current season stats in the trade, then there is no way I would be trading Hertl for Hathaway. Both players are very cold right now but one of them will continue to play 12 minutes per game and the other one will soon be centering David Pastrnak and Taylor Hall. Which of those players do you want?

[Smurf54]

Well in the end I ended up doing the deal for a fourth round pick and a toss-in man (Cernak) who I was likely to drop at some point anyway. So I got the guy and kept Hertl. My only deadline deal, but I'm happy with it.

[chuckcouples]

You traded away Erik Cernak in order to get "grittier"?

[Smurf54]

You traded away Erik Cernak in order to get "grittier"?

Sure did! The guy has been helpful when he plays, but has missed half the season so far with injuries. And I mostly needed more grit in my forwards, as I already get strong peripheral contributions from my D group, and was carrying an extra guy, so wasn't able to get him into my rotation often enough. Plus, Cernak/Tampa have a terrible schedule in the finals, while Hathaway/Washington play 4 games on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun.

So instead of having Cernak riding the bench in the finals, I will get 4 games on off-days out of Hathaway.