LA wants to gradually ease Mike Anderson into the top 4 and Leddy would be the perfect bridgegap for the Kings without them having to give up a lot of years to a FA or rush another unnecessary prospect. However, the Kings would also be taking in Komarov as well. As a result, the return will be minimal, which is still good for both teams because the Kings get to gradually develop Anderson without unnecessarily giving up 4+ years to a UFA while the Islanders shed 8.5 million dollars in cap room. This trade simply happens over the 2020 offseason given Leddy being expendable as a result of the emergence of Devon Toews.
I'm assuming the Ottawa Senators will keep DJ Smith and Jack Capuano. Shedding Clutterbuck's salary won't be easy. A B-/C+ prospect or mid-round pick(s)would most likely be involved in a trade like this. Clutterbuck re-unites with Capuano(he also gets to grow his stache back as a bonus. Ha ha) for at least 1 year and provides a bit of sandpaper to Ottawa's game. I picture this trade happening around the 2021 offseason. The pick that Ottawa gives back will be at 2022 due to it most likely being later. Hot take: Ottawa will make the playoffs during the 2021-22 season.
Now, let's get to the big one. The trade with Seattle to get them to take Ladd. I'm obviously going to use Anaheim as the example. So, to move Grabovski(who couldn't play a single NHL game anymore) it took a first, a 2nd in the following year, Jake Bischoff(a contract) and making them take JF Berube. Here, the offer is a little higher even though Ladd can still somewhat play unlike Grabovski. Why is it little higher? Because of the extra year. What would it take, a definitive 2nd, either another 2nd or 3rd, an NHL dman with 2 years of control under 2 million AAV, a B+ prospect in Bellow who will at least develop into a potential mid-6 forward(with team control), an AHL all star dman who can't earn a spot in the Islanders due to the LHD logjam and an extra 6th round pick.
Ilya Sorokin will have signed a regular contract by this time. Wahlstrom will have already started getting acclimated to the main roster with Wahlstrom taking bigger steps(watch AHLTV if you want proof). Moving Clutterbuck in 2021 is necessary for 2 things:
1. Gives Cizikas a better durable, W/C hybrid in Koivula to start the season.
2. Opens up a spot for Golyshev, who plans to sign with the Islanders during the 2021-22 season as they will showcase him this year to determine his value when he approaches UFA in 2022. This makes Bailey the winger pushed down to the 4th line and adds a much more offensive element to it. For those who are saying " Trotz won't play Golyshev 3rd line minutes right away. He's a kid." Incorrect, young Padawan. He'll be 26 going into 27 when the Belmont season concludes.
This is how I predict the 2021-22 will look by the end of the season. Again, by the end. I'm not saying Wahlstrom will START with Barzal, but there will be a RW1 change towards the end of the season. Same with Golyshev vs. Bailey.
2023 Conditional 2nd(NYI)
If Seattle fails to make the playoffs in 2022, they will receive a 2023 2nd round pick. If Seattle makes the playoffs in 2022, they will instead receive a 3rd round pick.
How did this escalate to two picks going back to Buffalo for Leddy and Komarov? Kings will give a 6th. Is throwing in a 7th really necessary?
I mean, if you're pulling teeth just for a 7th that'll most likely be mid-7th(yes I think the Kings will make the playoffs that year), then Idk. We always see that 7th rounder go in trades involving multiple pieces all the time. To keep that tradition consistent, I added the 7th. 😁