Time to rebuild

Blues get a young center who looks like he could become a top six center and a RHD who helps replenish an area of need for the Blues minor leagues. The Blues very likely do not play for another Cup with ROR remaining time with the team, so they flip an asset for the future.

The Rangers are very close to being a dangerous team. What they lack they gain with this trade. They get a veteran #1 center who plays a complete game and knows what it takes to win a Cup. The Rangers also need some toughness to go along with their loads of skill, and both ROR and Barbashev bring it every night. I would argue this trade puts the Rangers in a position to overtake what will be a cap-decimated Tampa Bay for top spot in the East.

Of course few teams want Neal, but the Note would have to take on his contract in order for Edmonton to navigate the salary cap with this deal. Blues price for taking Neal is the promising Broberg who is likely at least one year away from donning an NHL jersey full-time.

Edmonton is very top-heavy on their four lines, and that will only get heavier if the Nuge signs elsewhere. Tarasenko would have to waive his NTC to do this, but I think Oilers fans would salivate at having McDavid, Draisaitl and Tarasenko peppering shots at a goalie on the powerplay. His acquisition also deepens their four lines, as each line can drop one notch, placing Yamamoto and Puli as RWers on the middle six lines. Sanford automatically fills the third or fourth line LW abyss. This move also allows Edmonton to try an move Kassian's contract for value or let him entice Seattle in the expansion draft.

The Note receives a LWer who looks like he can play middle six minutes.

Dunn would slot behind Chabot very nicely, and the Senators deal from an area of strength to address an area of weakness with a young LHD who fits right in with the age range of the team.