The league is abuzz about word out of Dayton earlier today that stud netminder Pekka Rinne may be moved before the deadline. Rinne has put sterling numbers together so far this season and leads the league in wins and sits top three in most other goalie stats. Dayton is mediocre when it comes to offense, but defensively they own the league's stingiest defense.
Let's examine the pro's and con's of Dayton putting Rinne on the market before the trade deadline. We've asked a few scouts from a few teams in the Canosa Conference for their candid thoughts...
The case to trade Pekka Rinne:
Dayton owns the 15th best offense and the best defense in the league. Despite countless attempts to generate more offense, it really hasn't come together yet this year. The other teams the 'Men would have to face would all have better offenses than Dayton and an offense this weak puts an incredible amount of stress on the defense and goaltending to play error-free hockey. Let alone do it for at least three but maybe four playoff rounds. Unless Dayton's offense explodes over the next ten days or so, they should sell off Rinne and perhaps a few other valuable assets and retool for what should be an exciting season in 20-21. Rinne should bring a substantial return as perhaps the biggest difference-maker on the market.
The case to keep Pekka Rinne:
Even without a stellar offense, Dayton has been a consistent force all year and been in the top five teams for a while. The playoffs are a case study in small-sample size madness and anything can happen in a seven-game series. Dadonov will be fully healthy soon and the Musicmen have plenty of quality depth on offense, defense and in nets with Mike Smith. Dayton will be a team nobody wants to play due to their ability to shut good scoring teams down.
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