I’d definitely sign Hornqvist to that if he wants it, as well as Brodziak, I think he has a home in Edmonton.

First trade is okay, if I’m looking Carolina, the only duo i want is Skinner and Faulk, which of course we add to.

Second trade is a no from Edmonton, looking at Chia’s ask price for Maroon, A prospect like Lemieux isn’t what he’s looking for.

For the Oilers, I think waiving Sekera’s clauses on his terms and dumping is ideal, trading Strome, Letestu, Maroon, Cammaleri needs to happen

Be real tho. Hornqvist is making 4.25mill right now... Why would he take anything less?

I'd rather get a center back to keep the depth, the whole basis of the Carolina trade is they are giving up something on defence to gain some offence (Benning is a downgrade for Carolina, but Nuge is an upgrade over Rask). If it's Skinner coming back I don't think they'd be able to justify the downgrade from Faulk to Benning.

Fair - but do you really think Chia will be able to get more? Lemieux is having a pretty good 2nd season in the AHL at almost a ppg. Plus he might be a good response to Tkachuk down in Calgary.

I'd like to wait on Sekera, see how he does next year. If he get's back to what he was last year he's a valuable piece on the back end, and then Russel is the guy to move.

Ya, I was thinking about that. Truth is that the market for free agents has been dropping the past couple off seasons. The big deals aren't out there like they used to be. 3.75 might be low, but I don't think its anything close to a guarantee he gets a raise.

You're right, but teams still over pay in UFA to get the player they want. If Horny would get 3.75, then he might as well stay in PIT or go back to NSH with that sweet contract. I think he's looking upwards of 5

Ya you're probably right. I don't think he gets 5 from anyone though, other than maybe ARZ or BUF. The actual number probably comes in right around the 4.25 he's making now.

Let’s be real though. Even last year, Sekera’s defense was okay at best, but it has been overshadowed by what he can do on the PP and he being a 30 point Dman, he was an okay PK Dman. This year, coming back from injury, he hasn’t looked good at all in his few games or here’s a better way to describe him.. “non existent”. 1 measly point in 18 games and A -10, but the advanced stats go even deeper than that I guess. He has ultimately been shown out by Klefbom and Nurse for the 2 PP units, so what does the 5.5 mill D man do now? I say just deal him and his contract away, especially if we’re trading for a top 4 Dman now, if we are, will you want a 3rd pairing Dman? I wouldn’t

Don’t trade Russell, he’s A 5th D who can easily play a top 4 role, if he’s keeping it simple, doing his thing on D, not doing too much, he’s a great Dman, he’s just a mill overpaid in my eyes, Sekera on the other hand..

I think you're undervaluing what Sekera brought to the table last year. He was constant all year, anchored the second pairing and gave quality minutes every game. He was a solid, dependable guy through and through, and most definitely a top 4 guy. I don't think Edmonton is in a position to just give those guys away. He's coming off a serious knee injury and trying to catch up to the speed of the game mid-season. On this dumpster fire of a team that makes it even more difficult than it already is. Give him another year and see if he can regain his form. He's basically admitted he's not even 100% yet.

Don't get me wrong, I'd deal Sekera if it was a "hockey trade", but not just for the sake of saving cap space. Ya he's overpaid, but I'd take a healthy Sekera over a healthy Russell (who is also overpaid) 10 times out of 10.

You say you like Russell because he's a 5th D who can play a top 4 role. But Sekera is already a top 4 D who when healthy can play a 1st pairing role in a pinch. Isn't that more valuable than a 5th who can play top 4?