Doable, even without Mathews there are options.

That 11M is better spent elsewhere if we win the lottery. a 1 - 2 of Galchenyuk - Matthews for the next 10 years is fantastic. Add a couple of top 6 wingers with that 11M or another top 4 LD, and we are ready to compete.

Another good ole Emelin Elller for young player with top 6 potential? Why do some Hab fans think these guys are worth so much. If I was edm ill pass those guys arn't going to help their defense. They're better off packaging him with RNH or another one of their trade chips for a top 4/top 2 d man. Not sure why Columbus would do us a favor by taking on DD's salary either for free, they don't have the best cap situation either.

Yakupov isn't worth much either gunshot. Dude is a bust. Emelin and Eller address Edmonton's biggest need Defence. Eller is an ideal 3rd line centre. And Emelin is a stay at home D with size.

Deal makes sense.

They'res plenty of guys edm can find in FA who are 3rd line centres and stay at home bottom pairing d man. Calling Yak a bust is still pretty early too, he still has a ton of skill, if he was an actual bust why would we even want him? To be a warm body and a place holder? It's not a logical move on Edmonton's part, they're better off adding him with another trade asset like RNH for a younger 1/2/3 D man.

Look I'd love to have him too on chucky's wing but yak shouldn't be sold for scraps.

Why would we even want him? Taking a flyer on a guy because we are desprate for offence. Also because his value is low and I'm not willing to pay the price for a RNH or a Eberle.

The deal is really about clearing cap space to do other things (Stamkos in this scenario) it's not really a Man I gotta have Yakupov deal. He's worth taking a shot on based on his past with Chucky. But honestly I'd also be fone just trading Eller and Emelin in single deals for picks.

I don't need Yakupov is with out question a bust. He might rebond to an ok 2nd liner but he'll never be what he was drafed to be. No chance he's the best player in that draft. Not even top 3

Yak's development was handled horribly with the oilers, and neither did he really play with great line mates up untill he played with McDavid this year. I still think edmonton is better off throwing him in with rnh or eberle to a team willing to part away with an outstanding defencemen to get some young offensive talent, I don't think MB would trade Subban. The thing about the whole clearing cap space for stammer, why would other teams help us by taking overpaid players so we could afford to sign a guy like Stamkos? Other teams arn't just there for us to throw away bad contracts so we could make huge runs in FA lol.

But yeah I agree with you with that, looking back at it the best forwards in the draft were forsberg or galchenyuk, Edmonton probably should have drafted Rielly or Lindholm, would have helped their team massively.

ok we agree on somethings and somethings we don't

Yes Yakupox's development was handled poorly. no question. but the damage is done and he has flaws to his game. he's one denominational and doesn't even produce. I think he's clearly in bust territory and has very little value in a package or otherwise. If Edmonton wants to make a run at a top pairing Dman they can do that deal without Yakupov using their other young scorers. Anyone who takes on Yakupov is taking a flyer on potential and change of surroundings. he is a defensive liability as well.

I agree that Emelin has a bad contract no question. but I disagree on Eller. I think Eller is a very valuable player. I hate to see the Habs lose him. He is a great 3rd line shut down Centre with size who wins battles. Pleks has more offence but he's older and costs more so I would think Eller would be the preferred trade target. If have seen Oilers fans post their teams with Eller for Yakupov straight up. That's fine too just thought Emelin being a shut down tough dman would address a need in Edmonton. yes his contract stinks but he had a strong end of the year in MTL when hardly anyone in MTL did.

I think to a lot of people Emelin's value went up this year from last year. You and I may bot really share that opinion, but I have noticed enough people saying it so there must be something to it.

Maybe the Habs throw in a mid round pick to making taking the contract worth while. maybe you retain a mil. maybe you take Emelin out of the deal and trade him esle where. I don't know but I don't think I'm as far off as you do.