Kovalchuk won’t play on a 4th line, he needs to play with good players.

And the CBJ trade is interesting. The Blue Jackets probably accept, since they get a 2nd, plus a 1 year rental that they don’t need to worry about losing for nothing to Seattle.

And I guess the Leafs could do it if they want more stability in net.

Let me start this post by saying the Columbus Trade you have submitted is a good trade that helps both teams on the surface. It is not bad at all and in most cases I think we accept.

One Reason Why We Don't Accept this Good Trade:
1. We don't need two goalies that total over $9M to take money away from the players we are still trying to sign in Hall or Hoffman, Dubois and Gav.

One Reason Why We Accept this Good Trade:
1.Obviously an Upgrade over Korpisalo/Elvis duo. (Freddy's numbers would most likely be even better behind the CBJ defense.)

Elvis is still exempt, and we signed Kivlenieks to be our Seattle exposure. I don't think that return justifies us taking on significant cap hit. Doubtful.

Thanks. It sounds like this is an idea to come back to when Hall and Hoffman are off the table. Andersen is functionally only exposed if CBJ extend his deal. Otherwise, he's UFA next summer, and if Seattle claims him, he's still free to sign right back in Columbus if he has fun there, and I think he might. CBJ last year went barebones and surprised a lot of people with how well they've been drafting. They've cleared space so far and given no signs whether that's to make a big spashy addition, or just to save space to pay all the talented young guys they've developed. If it's the latter, Andersen's front-loaded contract makes him cheaper than Korpisalo this year by about $1.8M cash, but if it's the former, then I can see where Hall would be a more fun pickup than a goalie who hasn't been past the second round in a few years.

If we're trading away Korpi, it's so Elvis can be our true starter and so we can add a true top-6 scoring winger. I don't see why we'd add a guy who's gonna want to be the 1A.

If Elvis starts now, and keeps improving a bit, his next contract costs $8-10M per, for a while If Elvis is 1B this year behind Andersen, and next year behind whoever, his next contract costs $4-5M per, for a while.



Andersen earns $1M actual salary this year, and keeps Elvis from making $9M per year on his next contract. Can you tell us a little bit more about goalies doing better behind good defenses? I definitely see it with Bobrovsky in Florida, but I'm not sure we're all on the same page.

I'm equally fond of the Leafs and Jackets. If Columbus can sign Hall, they should. But if not, do you think a goalie who succeeded behind a questionable defense in Toronto could take Columbus on a run? Especially one who took Anaheim on a run?

... you think Elvis is getting Bobrovsky/Vasilevskiy money on his next deal? I'd be astonished, truly astonished. Hellboy is making just over $6M. I think you need to rein in your expectations a smidge.

Sure, sure. I'm already surprised he's making 4, though, on just a 35 game sample. If I ran the Blue Jackets, I'd probably keep Korpisalo, but offer Merz for Andersen, in order to clear cap in 21-22 and save around $7M in actual budget, for good players down the line. Probably no picks from Toronto on that little cap space, though.

edit: alternatively, if Columbus is looking for a top six wing, and Toronto's looking for cap space, getting Tor to drop the picks and throw in Johnsson might be good for both sides.