Quoting: jp_harvey
Why would STL do that trade with DET?? Best example of a really bad trade. You weaken your G (AND 5 years older) and litterally give away a good prospect/borderline NHLer. HARD NO
Please explain to me why in hell would WPG do that trade for Steen without sending money back? They're already in a cap crunch situation and next year, they need to re-up Wheeler and Myers. You need to think from both organisation perspective when you do those AGM thing...
StL would do that because the team gives up in front of Allen, and they're ready to move him if they can find a capable stop gap to give Husso one more year to develop. Howard has one year remaining, which works fine--and he has performed well playing in front of a less than stellar DET defense. I think he would excel in StL--and he certainly wouldn't be a downgrade. As for Barbashev, he was a handy player to have, but barring a slue of injuries, there is nowhere for him on the roster. Thomas is more or less supplanting him. Makes sense to package him and get some value for him now, than bury him in the minors, where he becomes waiver fodder.
WPG may be in a cap crunch situation, but they have a lot of salary off the books, with not everyone returning. They could use a two-way veteran utility forward. Steen can play literally anywhere in the top-9, is excellent on special teams, and his family has history with the franchise. He would be an upgrade over several of the players you mentioned.
Don't misunderstand me--I don't think this scenario is likely. I just don't think it's as far fetched as you are making out. I suspect the Blues are looking to deal him, and there are very few teams for which he would consider waiving his trade protections. I think WPG would be one of them. If so, I think they would find a way to make the salary work.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
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