Detroit has cap space to burn so they won't water down the return to pass him through a 3rd space.

Detroit may have cap, but they cant retain more than 50%, and imo they should move him for a third if that's the best they can get.


Chicago is just buying a pick here.

last thing Habs need is another old slow Dman who can't skate

Let me know if I'm reading this wrong but the full trade is:
Montreal gets Marc Staal
Detroit gets a third
Chicago gets Byron, a 2nd, 2 3rds and a 5th?

What makes you think Chicago will get more for retaining 1.4mil on Staal than Detroit will get for retaining 2.8mil and giving up the actual player?

You aren't reading that correctly, the trade is Marc Stall to MTL for a 3rd, but to accommodate MTL’s cap Chicago retains 1.4 million for a 5th.

The other Chicago and MTL trade has nothing to do with Detroit.

Alright, that makes a lot more sense. I don't think Montreal pays that price though given that Eric Staal just went for a 3rd and a 5th. Different positions and whatnot but Eric is definitely the more valuable player.