Why is Ladd expansion exempt? This makes the Isles worse IMO. No need to retain on Leddy or Ladd either - MIN would CBO him most likely.

The Wild can expose Ladd whereas the Islanders would have to protect Parise.
The Islanders explored trading Bellows at the deadline to upgrade LW right now.

Also, the Islanders shed salary and Parise's contract, unlike Ladd's, is more buyout friendly.

If there is a CBO the wild will buyout parise

Would think they'd rather do that to Suter. Parise is also a slightly more attractive trade piece so if I'm Guerin, I'd want to try and get some assets before contemplating CBO.

It’s not worth the risk for the wild. They’re taking on cap for bellows , salo, and Leddy who they don’t really need. There’s also a cap recapture penalty if he retires. The wild have plenty of lw in the system and prospects that will make the team in the next few years. It’s easier to buy him out than do a complicated trade like this.

For the isles it really doesn’t make any sense IMO. I’d rather CBO Ladd, trade Leddy and bury komarov. Isles can pay to get rid of boychuk next summer. I’d rather not acquire a player who has another year or 2 at most of being productive. He’s 36 YO and 5 mill for the next 5 years is a huge risk. The only way I’d be ok with adding Parise is if the wild buy him out and we can sign him to a 1-2 year for less than 5 mill AAV.

Perhaps. This was mainly being hypothetical if the Islanders don't believe long-term in Bellows.

I’d rather give bellows a shot with good line mates that cater to his strengths before giving up on him. Even if bellows puts up 20 goals next season, he won’t get more than 2 mill on a bridge next summer. Having a young middle 6 winger who can contribute on the powerplay for the next 3 years @ 2 mill or less would be great and something the isles need given their cap situation. They are in no position to be adding cap right now. Great teams have a mix of young talent and vets, and not all the young guys are stars.

I agree. Like I said though, I'm basing this off of if the organization doesn't believe long-term in Bellows.

Gotcha. Btw I hope trotz puts toews-pulock together. Toews makes his D partners better. Pelech and pulock are defensive specialists while they are together, but not great in terms of xGF %. Pelech-dobson is the top pairing of the future, allowing toews-pulock to attack offensively.

I think he starts of with Toews-Pulock to "ease Pelech back in." He'll see down the road Mayfield's struggles and Dobson's gradual progress and will swap.

This trade makes no sense for the Wild.

Able to shed 2 long-term salaries without resort to a CBO. Ladd is prone to expansion and Parise would be traded to the Islanders. Wild would get 2 good prospects and a cost-controlled Leddy with retained salary.

Parise is still a good player and because of a major back injury a prime candidate for LTIR in the not so distant future.
As far as expansion draft forward isn't really a issue for who to protect, because of the timing of contracts ending and some young players being exempt. Really looking at losing Donato, or Soucy if he re-signs.
Bellows and Salo aren't all that exciting and probably not worth the risk of a recapture penalty.
Leddy with retained salary doesn't outweigh Parise contract with retained money.