I really like the Neal/Stralman swap. However, due to the length of Neals contract (I realize that you probably did it 1 for 1 as Stralman is definitely less skilled), I feel like the Oilers should either be adding something or retaining on the contract.

Still, its a unique idea and its one that both makes sense and could work.

You get your pick of Lagesson or Russell if you take neal.

I thought this too, but anyways I'd guess that Stralman has all of the Canadian teams on his no-trade list.

They would be looking for somebody to play with Mcdavid not Drai. I’d say Tatar or mike Hoffman, then nuge can go back beside draisaitl. Holloway would be on the lineup before benson. Hate to say it but benson is too slow. Jones is second pairing or he’s off the team. I expect samorukov or Broberg to be 3rd pairing LD. Bouchard isn’t going to be second pairing they need an experience RD for there. They need a 1a goalie not another Koskinen in Raanta he’s a career backup.

Four out of five stars. My only critique is the RNH and Yamo contracts are too rich and too long. And I’d prefer that we sign a guy like Nemeth rather than trading for Graves.

Nugent Hopkins is probably worth that it sounds like that’s the only way Edmonton signs him. There is a center shortage around the league so teams would throw crazy money at him. They would be lucky if they can sign yamo for that instead of 6 million. Yamo is worth it too he’s been a point per game and has completely lit a fire under the offence.

Lol, I like your optimism with Graves. He first has to actually stay on this Avs team and get exposed, then Seattle have to actually take him, and then Seattle would need to sell him cheap, which is unlikely. Graves is worth more than a 2nd.

Every ACGM that is one year or two in the future require optimism/projection, you know.

My "optimism" comment was more referring to thining you can get a top 4 Dman on a good contract for just a 2nd,.

After the Expansion draft there will be no shortage of teams looking to get a top 4 Dman. If Seattle do like Vegas did and take as many Dmen as possible then half the league will be down a 4th Dman. And many teams who have been purposely running with only 3 good Dmen will be keen to stock up on D again after the ExD. So guys like Graves will actually be very valuable once the ExD is over and done with.

It’s creative and I think Seattle is going to do deals like that, though I think Graves nets more than that, because teams aren’t going to make the mistakes teams did with Vegas.