Panik, Fjallby for Helm ($1.925M ret) only saves the Caps $825K, and frankly, Panik is the better player than Helm at this point in career, sure, not much, but still. The Caps are not going to pay Fjallby for this flip. ($825K in savings for a lesser player)

Neither of these trades really weaponize the Wings cap space, much less take full advantage of it.

The point of the Panik/Helm swap is that Helm only has one year remaining and Panik has 3.

You are correct but Fjallby is middle 6 winger at best and not enough incentive to take 3 seasons of Panik. With a 56 game season Detroit is better of with Helm knowing the players and system already I doubt he gets resigned. I can't speak for Vancouver but taking Neilson back doesn't make much sense for them. They need all the cap they can get taking on Neilson even at half price isn't worth a 1st and a prospect for them.

Jim Benning has already stated that he won't be moving another 1st round pick, especially for a cap dump.

also no way you're getting a 1st rounder back when there is that much salary coming back to VAN, as well an asset

Lmao Van has to give up a first and Neilson comes back the other way? What’s even the point