2008/2009 FANTASY HOCKEY

Matt Stajan is on pace for 19 goals, 41 assists and 60 points in 71 games played. His trade value would have to be at its highest, would you trade him?

It is a good question.  To begin to answer that one myself, I'll start by admitting that I am on the bandwagon of retooling or rebuilding or whatever you want to call it and shipping out assets in return for prospects and picks. In fact, I have not been this excited in a long time to watch the Leafs move forward with new management and a new plan. I believe in selling high... So is Stajan's value at an all time high? Yes, I'd say it is. Would I trade him now? For what in return?  Hmm...

A few things to consider with Stajan is that he has actually been a very consistent player and performed accordingly to his role and ice time. He is a great two way player who has done a fair job for now the 5th year in a row who is still only 25 years old. He was probably always a 20g, 60pts a season two way player if he was to be used as he has been this year. He also seems to have a good character and is (hopefully) free of the complacency previous Leaf locker rooms have been plagued with....

So I guess it gets down to what would he resign for or what could you get for him?

He isn't worth Blake type money (not even Blake is!  5 years, 4 million per!) and is he even worth Hagman  type money? (4 years at 3 million per) Stajan makes 1.75m per year right now so lets assume we would gladly sign him to man the sinking ship for 2 million a season for the next 2 to 4 years but lets also assume that Stajan might want roughly 3 million per over 4 years. That means Hagman money (who might not even be worth it himself) for another guy who may or may not be worth it and who would be 29 or 30 years old when the contract expires. Considering the Leafs won't be competitive for at least 3 years, perhaps the answer is... why bother? I'd rather fill his spot with a Marlie and keep the cap free just in case the Leafs get lucky enough to have an opportunity to speak with the likes of Rick Nash and other UFA's in the years to come. If it were my call, this now seems to point towards my willingness to trade Stajan.

What could we get for Stajan? I'd still want the right deal and the right return before letting him go. He is under contract for another year and would then be an RFA. If another team doesn't want to pay a price for him, then the Leafs should keep him. If there is no reasonable deal for him this year or next, then I'd resign him for a couple years around 2million a year but no higher then 2.5m per.... and if he by chance turned into a 20g/70pt player, perhaps another team would overpay him via offersheet at 3million+ a season and the Leafs would gladly take the 1st and 3rd round picks. Wouldn't that be great! 

Realistically..  my answer is yes, I'd trade him and my guess is that he will end up being a piece of a multi player deal this year or next.