Final steps coming up to the start of the season

A perennial 50 point RHD AND A FIRST ROUND PICK for a 3rd pairing LHD? That's crazy.

If Edmonton wants to get a Barrie-Soucy swap over the line a first is likely what it's going to take. Soucy isn't just a 3rd pairing guy, he can capably handle top four LD minutes. Plus, the Kraken are under zero pressure to move Soucy before the season, they can either extend him or wait and get a good return at the trade deadline. Edmonton meanwhile is under pressure to become cap compliant and re-sign McLeod, something they have to do before the season kicks off. That means Seattle is the one with the leverage. Even if it's not this move with the Kraken, Edmonton is the one under pressure to get something done soon.

Soucy has never been more than a 3rd pairing defenseman and doesn't contribute much to either special team. Plus he's a lefty. There's no reason for Edmonton to go after him in the first place.

Soucy may be a left shot, but he played extensively on the right side and occasionally in the top four for Seattle this past season, while being one of the few players on the team with a positive plus/minus. He's proven he can handle both. Edmonton might not need him, but if they are going after him, it'll likely take an overpay since the Kraken will have leverage in negotiations. My point is, regardless of whether Edmonton wants to trade for Soucy or not, any move they make to get cap compliant will probably look bad for them given that other teams know the Oilers need to shed salary.

Barrie is already an overpay. Nobody is giving up a far better player AND a 1st. That's pure asshattery.