Realistic deadline

Edmonton could pay third team for extra retention on mantha.

Bonuses for Pacioretty are paid by caps so no worries about cap implications for next year.

The more I think, the more it makes sense. Caps want to shore up the defense. Hanifin is young enough to stick around for the next wave of the capitals core. Top pair LD. Flames don’t like to retain on any players, they don’t have to here. They send out hanifin and wipe their hands clean of any financial cost.

I think the caps will at least acquire one extra first at the deadline. That will be a main piece to acquire hanifin. Alexyev goes to immediately get a spot on Calgary’s blue line, suzdalev is another one of the main pieces Calgary gets coming back. He has been great in juniors, but I think if the caps want to acquire hanifin, they’ll have to do it now. If he gets traded elsewhere at the deadline, he’s signing with that team and you can kiss the best option at defense in UFA goodbye.

No idea what Jensen actually returns but considering he’s got term, it makes sense for Toronto. Retention could definitely be worked out if absolutely necessary but I know Toronto has the room right now at least.

LA supposedly wants to add some grit to their lineup (per Elliott Friedman a few weeks back). NAK adds that to the bottom 6, plus they get to add a decent pick for a young player they may be a little frustrated with.