OK see now we are seeing eye to eye.
Think of it like this. If we can say squeeze B Schenn ++, Jenner ++ (the ++ being a winger and a 1st) than we can draft our next center. As it stands right now this team is NOT making the playoffs. 3 teams directly behind us within 2 points and having 2 or 3 games at hand. Losing Kesler means rebuild.
If we were competing and had the depth available i'd do Kesler + for Johansen. but we are not. moving Kesler signals at least a full season rebuild in 2015.
I know Johansen is a stud, no question. but so is Wennberg, So is Horvat, Rychel, Jenner, B Schenn and all bring a specific aspect we need. Pitts giving us bennet and Pouliot (as they will not move Maata with martin and Letang injured) is also good.
we have a chance at almost cannot miss prospects from the last 2 seasons and if done right we could squeeze 2 prospects from last years draft (giving us 4 overall 1st round picks int he uber deep 2013 draft) from columbus and a pick.
while they might not translate into playing this or next season. they'll help this club out immensely.
Because like it or not. Once Kesler is moved we are officially rebuilding. And this means the rest of this season. Plus next season. Then an additional season or two on top of that while our prospects/rookies find their footing.
So at that point we then have a 25-26 year old Johansen or a few 22-23 year old uber prospects. Because like it or not. If we have Shinkaruk, Horvat and say any two of Wennberg Rychel Pouliot Mantha Jenner and another 1st round pick from Kesler, we have a few almost cannot miss career NHL players as opposed to one. And I would much rather have 3 or 4 cannot miss career players over 1 single uber prospect.
That and we could again laugh at Calgary and edmonton as we rebuild in almost no time at all and are competing again quicker than most think possible