I agree with you I totally do not understand the hate Chris has been getting. I mean yes he was bad, but like you said look at the charts. Also do we not forget he played a very long time with an iron deficiency? We are so quick to say he lost his step when he was playing through health issues.

To me Chris and Pascal represent the same challenge. Both are 35+, getting paid 3 mil, had injury/health issues this season, and will most likely be playing on the 3rd line next season. Naturally that is the age players start to decline. I would not be paying either of these players that amount if you are playing on the third line.

If I were to guess who would have more of a bounce back year next year between Chris and Pascal I would say Chris. Yes Pascal has not played in basically two seasons. But I would be wary with his age and his injury/blood clot history if he were to come back. What if he gets another nasty hit to the knee or another clot? Sure we can bury the cap with LTIR but that is a spot another forward from WBS or a UFA could have gotten. But I acknowledge Pascal could light it up next year and prove me wrong. Chris has proven very durable throughout his career and I think next year he could have a bounce back year. But then again he might not.

If I were GM I would keep only one of them. Chris will most likely be moved b/c he still has "trade value". No one will take on Pascal with his recent injury history, even if he scores 25 next year. I think that is why everyone is hating on Chris. If forced to trade one of the two Chris would net the highest return. But IDK having a gold medal and scoring 17 G & 23 A means you are a bad player now...