Leddy probably brings back more than just a 1st, especially if MTL misses out on Gardiner. The OTT and EDM trades are pretty fair, though could possibly squeeze a pick out of EDM given the bounce back season Boychuk had last year. The Vegas trade is unnecessary if you're signing Laine to an OS, gotta leave room for some of the young guys to step in... Beau, Ho-Sang, Bellows are all NHL ready, with Wahlstrom not far behind.

You put Lee and Bailey in the 1 and 2 LW slots, with Beau in 3 LW, Casey in 3C and Ho-Sang in 3 RW and Komarov takes the Clutters spot as the 4 RW.

I like the risk/reward on Gusev, he could be beast, or could flop, but for a second and a third and a two year deal I'm willing to roll the dice for him. If he's as good as he could be, barzal between him and laine could be nuts.

I don't think Ho-Sang is ever going to make it. Beau, yeah, probably move him to third line and komorov to reaves spot like you said and scratch reaves if need be. Wahlstrom is probably a year or two away, he provides depth if gusev stinks / doesn't want to stay after the two year deal. Laine is also streaky, so I think having a guy like gusev helps minimize that.

I also agree that maybe you can squeeze a little more out of some of those trades, but I tried to keep it as realistic and built on deals that I think would get done.

I'm not saying Gusev isn't a good player, just I don't think the trade is necessary if you're bringing in Laine through an OS. Also, after the Kovar situation last year, I don't see Lou making another risk signing like that, not when this team needs a sure thing.

Lastly, I know people **** on Bailey, but Trotz and Lou love him, heck it was between him and Lee for the "C" when JT left, I don't see them putting Bailey on the 3rd line unless it's to try and create scoring during slumps like last year, especially after Lee-Nelson-Bailey developed some good chemistry at the end of last year. If anything, you put Lee at 1LW, Bailey at 2 LW and start Gusev at 3 RW, if he shows he's the real deal then you can move him up and re-shuffle the lines or you keep Lee-Nelson-Bailey and have Laine-Barzal-Eberle... Barzal and Ebs already have great chemistry together and the Nelson line really came on at the end of last season when they were put together.

Isles are currently not doing anything. In my opinion offersheet is waste of time. When has it ever worked?

I am not convinced Montreal is trying to improve their team. They host 2020 draft and may want a shot at Alexis Lafreniere. Aho offersheet looks like a smokescreen. Carolina got Aho at the AAV they wanted.

it's a 2021 first round pick for that reason bud

Thanks got clarifying...I missed that. If Isles want Laine they should just trade for him. It shouldn’t cost more than Leddy, Pulock, Bellows and Dobson.