I wonder if CBJ would consider a Zibanajed 1-for-1 (if he would waive, that is).

Totally counter productive for the Rangers to do that. They need a 1-2 punch, trading Zib leaves them in the same place they were before the trade having no depth at center. On top of the fact hes coming off a 40 goal season.

They get a younger 1C that fits their timeline better and has more years of team control. I like that move for the Rangers, just my opinion.

The upgrade from Strome to PLD isnt worth Kakko and a first.

You forgot to put in laf. But seriously kakko is a 2 oa pick from only 1 year ago give him time. He also progressed a lot at the end of last season, RTP. You would have to add a little for kakko for pld but strome and potentially 2 1sts thats a hell of a lot.

So by your philosophy, the Rangers should just stick it out with Strome. Why upgrade? Hes good enough right?

Do you really think Strome is somehow an influential piece of this trade? Hes got no value, whatever worth he has is on Panarin's stick. Strome purpose is simply to balance the contracts. The trade starts with Kakko and the 1st.

Now, whats a more important position in hockey? Center or RW? Keep in mind we have Buch, Kravtsov and... since theyve been toying with it, LAF, to play RW.

Strome's highest point total (before Panarin) was 50. Second highest 35. PLD has done 48, 60, 49. PLD is a legit, proven top 6 center.

BTW, what has Kakko done in his first year to make you believe that he's as good as you think? Oh he was 18. PLD was 19 when he hit 20g 28a in his rookie year.

At the end of the day were trading from a position of strength for a position of extreme weakness. Even if in 5 years theyre putting up the same amount of points, PLD is doing it from a position of greater influence and importance.

What would you want for Barzal?

Or maybe we should sit on Kakko as long as the Isles sat on Strome only to find out he was a serviceable depth player.

By this thought, why give up anything? We could just wait for 2022-23 when Barkov becomes a free agent.

Not saying you should do a strome/mdc, and really liked the lias andersson trade for the rangers but you cant give up on him after 1 season where he showed significant growth. Also didnt say you cant trade kakko for pld but youre majorly underrating him. Also i dont like strome at all but youre underrating him also.
As for strome we got eberle for him which is better than what the rangers got for lias andersson so...
Barzal. Hes a lot better than pld and hes untouchable so you would have to pay a lot more for him than pld.

If you want to bank the future of your Center position on a guy hitting UFA and signing with you over 30 other teams, then yeah, why not.

There's also nothing stopping you from signing Barkov just because you have Dubois... I'm not seeing the point to that argument.

PLD is proving hes got legit #1 talent. Barzal might be better right now, but in a year or 2 they could be on the same level.

Rangers had their backs against the wall in the Lias situation. It was poorly handled and managed. They got what they could for him. Theyre walking themselves into a similar situation with Kravtsov.

Youre right, its a bit early to tell whats what with Kakko. However, were talking future/franchise #1 center vs. future RW. Whats a more important pivotal position in the league? How many teams have won Stanley Cups with no depth at center?

BTW, how am I underrating Strome? His numbers speak for themselves.

Because Zibanejad has clearly woven himself into the thread and chemistry of this city and team which is VERY difficult to do.

Agreed c is more important than rw but what about mika is he now just some 2nd line center. Also the difference between wing and center is not a first+ potentially 2 firsts. I also have no problem with upgrading strome to pld all i said was you paid way too much to do that.
As for underrating strome

They tried to trade Strome in the off-season, no one wanted him.

...and yea, his only purpose is to off-set the contract.

As far as Zib goes, hes still the #1. However, the Rangers would have 1a and 1b lines. Kreider, Zib, Buch / Panarin, PLD, LAF. FFS, theyre using Howden as their 2C on the PP, THATS how bad it is for the Rangers. Eventually LAF will work his way to the top line LW, hopefully the things with Kravtsov get patched and he now has a place in the line up on the Rangers. As far as future goes...

LAF, Zib, Buch
Panarin, PLD, Kravtsov
Kreider, (not Chytil), Gauthier

The point here is, Im willing to over pay for PLD to fix a problem the Rangers have had for a long time.

I understand youre willing to all im saying is you could get him for much less. Also just asking why not chytl