NYR accept

Wait a sec, there (I was going to say "not so fast" but didn't want the bad pun). I'm ok with the first condition, because I dont think the Rangers make the Eastern Conference Finals, much less the Western Conference Finals. But I'm not risking a 1st rounder on Gusev having a big year. We're trading for him in the hope that he has big years.

I think any team in the league would trade a first round pick for a 70 point player, especially a first round pick that is 3 years away. If he scores 70, we probably had a great season and it’s a lower pick anyway, well worth it. Kevin Hayes got us a first round pick and a prospect and he’s never even sniffed 70 points.

I also think the first condition is to prevent us from trading him back to the West where Vegas would have to deal with him. Which isn’t likely given our circumstances and intention to be a competitor in the next couple years.

The problem here though is that NYR isn’t shedding any potential salary either. I know that VGK are up against the cap, but so is NYR. Adding another RFA in Gusev to the fold means Kreider is done in Manhattan. This is fine, but NYR still needs to deal with Strome, Namestnikov, Buch, DeA, and Lemieux.

I fully expect Kreider will be moved. Him coming off the books pays for Gusev. Buying out Smith and trying to find a taker for Namestnikov or Strome, even if we have to basically give them away, would cover the remaining RFA’s. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Buchnevich ends up being traded if there’s no feasible market for Strome/Namestnikov

All fair. Even though it might be necessary I don’t want to see Kreider traded for less than he’s worth. I think this trade would make that inevitable. Obviously all tbd. In Gorton we trust.