Quoting: crowismydad
As far as Saad goes, I'd have to disagree. They're currently running Kunin as a winger, and will need to replace Galchenyuk next season. They're looking to compete soon with a new goalie and a Kaprizov. A 45-50pt, 2 way winger would be great for them for a lower return, e.g. a 15-25th overall 1st rounder.
Markstrom I doubt you can grab at 5m. He's said he'd prefer Vancouver, and they can also make room for that salary. Not that I dislike the idea of Markstrom, I just don't see it happening is all.
As far as Shaw goes, why do you say that? When he was on MTL he helped them nearly lead the league in corsi and 5v5 efficiency. Yeah he was injured this year, but Shaw can slot in anywhere top 6, that was the best part of him! Genuinely curious on this one.
Minnesota is after a center and they aren't making a run next year so a 1 year rental does them no good. The Hawks, if they trade Saad, will maximize their return and that will be with a team making a run next year like Colorado who could use another top 6 winger.
Crow is too expensive at $5M. He will not cost that in Chicago, MAYBE if he has to move to another team but given his concussion issues and his age, teams aren't going to be throwing money at him at least for more then 1 or 2 years. In Chicago he will cost $4M to $4.5M max.
Montreal played Shaw there because they were weak at the winger position while their younger guys were developing. Shaw is two years removed from that and with yet another major concussion. If your plan is A) to play him on the first line and B) bet he is injury free, well then we are worse off then Montreal 2 years ago which is flat out bad. If you're going to move Saad, do it on the premise you at least bring in a solid player like Tuch, Hoffman, etc. or don't move Saad. We aren't in the business of regressing for picks and prospects right now and that is what this move does while making forward group noticeably weaker.
Highmore has earned his spot, no need for Brassard, just spending $1M+ more then you need to. Carps is not a 3rd liner, he's a capable defensive winger but not a scoring guy.
Overall, this a weaker team then last year with moving De Haan and Saad and bringing in a guy like Brassard