Trade?

[CHL Watcher]

Something to remember for perspective is.....aside from injuries that may slow them down.....these kids they've drafted (Berdnikov and Berzins) are younger than the usual suspects and bring a few years of potential play to the table.

Bernikov's numbers were actually very good rookie numbers. His plus/minus is a little shakey but nowhere near the depths of Cutting, Blacker, Shipley and is pretty much in line with the team's defensive effort. Otherwise Berdnikov had very good stats for a rookie.

Injured players are a gamble but if it pays off you will get guys who want to prove something and you may get more than you would otherwise have gotten. (Schemitsch is a blatant example)

Just don't expect a huge contribution in the first year. For that you draft 19 year olds and pay through the nose for a year of service.