That is a possibility I would consider risking with larsson but not nuge. Out of the two I’d be more worried someone comes in an offers nuge something stupid.
I do think both would want to stay and doubt either of them would leave unless it was a significant pay increase.

I wouldn't do either of the MTL or BUF trades from the Oilers perspective.

- Bear is younger and will be much cheaper than Ristolainen, and he's able to play 1st pairing competently. Ristolainen's point totals look gaudy but he puts up much of that on the PP and he wouldn't get much PP time in Edmonton. Bear actually outscored him at 5v5 this year, 19 to 15.
- Nurse has way more value than Drouin and the difference isn't a 2nd. I think Domi + a 2nd would be much closer to fair, but then why trade for Domi when you have Lafreniere? Laf will be better from the word "go", and cheaper for the first three years too (at which point the 28 year old Domi will be declining and less likely to cover his cap hit).
- Speaking of Lafreniere, that NJ trade isn't fair value either, especially if you're going to use the #7 pick on Jack Quinn. No offense to Quinn, but not very many people consider him a top-10 talent in this draft. I like Askarov but he's years away while Lafreniere can help immediately- and the Oilers window is now open so they shouldn't be trading now for future. And I don't see the attraction of Zacha at all - he's meh offensively and terrible defensively. Zero interest in that trade either.

In conclusion I think if you win the lottery you keep the pick and take him the best player in the draft. It'll be the last time you get that opportunity anyhow - you just know the league will change the draft rules again to prevent the Oilers from getting any more 1st overall picks.

I think Holland has got to re-sign Nugent-Hopkins this coming offseason and then go 7-3-1 and protect him. He's going to put up a 100 point season 2020-21 and you want to get him signed before that happens for sure.

7,3,1 was format I was going for. Protects a top four group of klef larsson jones with bouch being exempt
That leaves the entire top six protected.

He is because offensive talent is the most valuable thing and Drouin got it.

1 for 1 would be fair but MTL say no now because their LHD is already rebuilted with Chariot signing and exceeding expectations, Romanov coming to America and 3 drafted last year.

That deal was relevant last season, but no more.

I would protect Klefbom Nurse and Bear. Larsson can be signed after the draft (but before free agency) if he'll come back at an agreeable number. We'll likely lose Jones, but one of Lagesson / Lennstrom / Samorukov can fill that spot easily. Broberg is coming too... 3LD is the least of my worries.

LOL, if MTL is happy with mediocrity so be it - Edmonton isn't doing this trade as is let alone 1 for 1. Romanov is a 3rd pairing guy in a lesser league, expecting him to even make the team is aggressive, let alone be a Nurse-level player.

Nurse is a 1st pairing defenseman, you aren't getting that for a meh winger plus a 2nd.

All these trades I felt I was being generous slightly loosing each of them from oilers perspective but the end result is what I wanted. Outside of archy everyone is solid skaters very fast paced group that under Tippett should prove helpful on the defensive side. The d core of klef larsson jones and bouch survive expansion. Set Seattle up to actually help the oilers by exposing AA kassian and risto take any that’s just money in the pocket with prospects on elc to replace.

If by mediocrity you mean "one of the best prospect pool in the league, including at LHD Norlinder, Romanov, Strubble, Harris, Olofsson and Leskinen",

And by 3rd pairing guy you mean
"twice best defenceman of the World junior championship playing as a regular for the best team of the most competitive hockey league in the world after the NHL at 20 years old",

then we would agree.

Romanov is a 3rd pairing guy in the KHL and likely has a ceiling of 2nd pairing in the NHL with several more years of development. To use him as a reason for not acquiring a 1st pairing defenseman is mediocre thinking - and exactly why the Canadiens aren't a playoff team without Bettman meddling with the format.

Keep doing the same thing and you'll keep getting the same results.

Agreed. It’s like not needing a C because they have KK and domi..... I think they are getting a generous offer here

I wouldn't say the Laf trade is underwhelming since the oilers get rid of Neal's bad contract, get a solid 3rd line center, a future top 6 winger and a future starting goalie

Agreed I think they come out ALOT better than expected when season stopped haha

Just because Nurse is high in EDM defense chart doesnt make him a first pairing quality defenseman. It just means their defense is bad.

Also if you dont get the difference between left and right, I can't help you.

Haha, keep going..

MTL doesnt need a Center because of kk, Domi... Suzuki, Danault, Poehling, Ikonen and Evans!

There you go Champ!

You're confused - I didn't say anything about left or right.

If you look at the last 3 years combined only Doughty has played more 5v5 minutes than Nurse in the entire league. And Nurse is 7th at scoring in that discipline, tied with Victor Hedman. If that isn't 1st pairing, I don't know what is.

Edmonton’s D is bad? Well it was good enough to be sitting second in the division.... At some point perhaps waiting for prospects to develop to fill obvious big holes in roster becomes a wast of time when paying a goalie like price over 10 million and the established D is getting up there in age. By the time prospects fill the LD roles the RD is going to take a big step backwards.... I’m not actually knocking any prospects have I actually think habs have an impressive collection but I don’t see time being on the habs side.

As I’ve said I think each of these deals is rather generous from Edmonton’s side I think a little research on players involved would confirm that. That being said it does give Edmonton cap flexibility to resign Nuge and Larsson long term while resigning russel as a 6/7 and bridge yam for two years. This provides Edmonton a goalie that could step in when kosk and dell deals expire resign one or a ufa. Expansion 7f 3D 1g protects the top four d in klef larsson jones and bouch. If Seattle takes one of the forwards like AA we have replacement kids on ELC money saved. If Ristolainen has a tremendous year which I think under Tippett and change of scenery and that offence in front is very possible Seattle could select him then freed up 5.4 million let russell play 3rd pairing on the right side or sign a cheaper ufa.

I will let go why I think EDM D is bad.

I'll focus on the parts we actually agree on.
1. MTL will probably never win anything short term.
2. Price will be on the decline/retired when the actual prospect pool will be ready, in 3 to 5 years. (see Primeau)
3. Even with Fleury and Brooks, RD is a weak position IF Petry leaves next season. (wings is the worst)

Since we agree that RD depht needs to be adressed, we can agree that MTL shouldnt sacrifice a young top 6 winger now for a LHD going UFA in 2 years, considering they plan to be contenders in 4+ years.