Bold

Not a chance

I am absolutely 100% on board with ekholm as a target been saying it since news on klef broke. Play styles are comparable in many ways. I don’t think the trade purposed works for both sides but very much do like the concept.

Does Poile submit his resignation simultaneously? Good Lord

Maybe a move like this saves his career. Nashville has two centres making 8 million per year in a flat cap world….arguments could easily be made that both are under performing relative to their contracts. Duchene is owed nearly 40 million on his contract. There will be a price to pay to move that. Two 2nds is hardly unreasonable and taking on James Neal is hardly a handcuff situation as Nashville could easily buy him out and save around 30 million plus in the process freeing up cash to restructure the forward group. Like I said, I believe Duchene is still a good player and could rejuvenate his career playing with two of the best players in the world. The gamble is on Edmonton. Ekholm for Jones could probably be tweaked with a different prospect instead or a second prospect added….but really Ekholm is a year from UFA.

I don't love the deal from Edmonton's side too much either. That kind of money and term on a roll of the dice is risky business, regardless of the other incentives in the deal, IMO.

I could see Nashville trying to incentivize Seattle to extract one of their 2 "albatross" centers --- likely Johansen (less remaining salary, 2 years younger, 1 year less in term). I think the cost might be comparable to what you've laid out but they wouldn't need to take on a contract like Neal's in return. (Ie. 2 second rounders and a solid roster player or prospect (probably not Ekholm) for Seattle to select Johansen in the Expansion Draft.)