Quoting: Stanley_Cup_To_Manhattan
Ok that's my bad. Staal is pretty equivalent to Russell on value and performance (edge to Staal ofc) the Henrik trade for Russell is 100% based on cap space. Neither team wants him just needs to be a cap casualty to facilite a trade. Staal actually has value to the Kings and would play for them. They are spending cap space they have an abundance of, getting a guy who will eat minutes, help shelter their youth, expiring contract, and nothing being moved to get him unlike a Leddy or Hjalmarsson deal occurs where they'd sacrifice assets for also aging dmen. Edmonton is "dumping" Russell because they do not have cap space to work with like LA.
For sure, I just think LA would be just as well off re-signing someone like Hutton (for cheaper) to play the same role, especially if they're just planning to start bringing up the young guys. Not a lot of point taking on salary as a rebuilder, especially if you're not getting some sort of asset back.
As much as I think moving Hank would be the smart move for NYR, especially cap-wise, I'd assume they either buy him out (saving $3 mil), or move Georgiev to avoid p1ss1ng off the guy who has been the face of the franchise for the past decade. Convincing him to waive to go anywhere doesn't seem like it'd be an easy task.
Since my beloved Ducklings won't be getting Laf, I do think I'd really like to see him end up in NY though (or at least East). You'd have a pretty dominant top 9 (if you can fill up the middle...maybe Chytil takes the next step?)