Trade for 3OA

Why in the world would Columbus do this? The only return is getting clarkson off the books.

Take Bouma out and put Backlund into the deal and include a 2nd rounder

I like the prospect of trading up for 3rd overall, but definitely not at cost of taking Clarkson. Remember, Clarkson has an NMC so he would have to be protected in the expansion draft. Arguably it's still the worst contract in hockey

Only way I'd want the Flames to take on Clarkson is if:

1) CLB retained some of his salary, so that he's roughly $4 million against Calgary's cap
2) If it's possible to do so, he'd have to sign a waiver where he agrees to waive his NMC in the event of any expansion draft during the life of the contract.

Even still, taking on that toxic contract would be completely frightening, and probably shouldn't be done. But without those two conditions it's a complete non-starter.


All this is over complicated anyways. A trade up from 6th overall to 3rd overall should just simply be at the cost of two of our second round picks. Anything more is just ridiculous nonsense. Go back and look at all the drafts since the 2005 lock out. Moving up 1-4 spots in the first round doesn't cost top prospects or NHL players.

The difference is the time it would take to develop a prospect vs immediate help prospect. Look that trade is garbage for the CBJ.