STL cannot afford those contracts nor do they need or want them.

I figured they could use Smith as center depth and Anderson as a better backup than Johnson

Boston passes

Carlo had 6 points last year, Backes has undesirable contract. Getting Gaborik adds top 6 depth and has better contract than Backes, JGP gives center depth and Chlapik is solid prospect to add to trade since Carlo is included

Blues have O'Reilly Schenn Bozak Thomas Barbashev and Steen can play center... and we signed Johnson for the specific reason to not have someone log jam Ville Husso. I would not mind Smith as a 4C but you would have to retain half his salary to make it work.

Blues say no Kostin is to important.

Didn’t realize that gaborik’s contract wasn’t horrible, so it isn’t that bad

Gaborik still has a horiible contract... just not as bad as Backes which is why I thought it would make sense as BOS needs the cap space

Philly passes. I mean if we are hypothetically talking about Heiskanen, Honka, or Sergachev as the main pieces going back there is zero chance Ghost would be included to compete with that price. Swap Ghost out for Myers or Sanheim and it's way more realistic. I just can't see Hexy moving a top pairing dman on a steal of a contract even if it's for Karlsson when he has no reason to do so.

Philly says thanks but no thanks...

I'd rather have Ghost with a very team friendly contract, a good prospect, and the 1st/2nd next year.