Unfortunately NSH won't deal Forsberg for surplus assets. Only Amirov and that 1st are somewhat interesting for the Preds, but they're far from enough.

what if I switch the 2nd into another 1st?

This value isn’t awful with the two 1sts, but I think Robertson would have to be involved in any deal for Forsberg.

Won't tackle the main issue. Half of this trade is still a bunch of assets Preds have no use over. Preds could offer their whole AHL team and prospect pool for Matthews, yet I don't see Leafs becoming interested in the slightest. You get my drift?

You gotta give to get. Quality is always more important than quantity.

You're getting much closer to a fair deal with offering assets like Sandin/Robertson+Hirvonen+Abruzzese+2022 1st. In other words, tempting assets NSH have use for.

The idea behind these assets are as follows: with Ekholm being trade bound, Sandin could be a terrific replacement for him. Robertson works as a Forsberg replacement, sort of. Pick whichever you like.

Their center prospect pool is extremely meh. If anything, they want some good C prospects - not the one who's like 4th or 5th in your teams depth chart.

Picks are nice. They'd probably prefer 2022 one due to that being a better draft.

Why do you think so? Many would argue Amirov is the better prospect. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just genuinely curious why you think Robertson needs to be involved.

I respectfully think you're off on this one. I don't see how half the trade is pieces they have no use for. 4 out of the 6 pieces are Amirov (on par with Robertson/Sandin), Liljegren, and two 1sts. That's plenty of quality. I think the trade above is at the very least equal to your own proposition.

Who is saying Amirov > Robertson? I surely don’t feel that way, and I’ve never seen that printed by pundits either. Is it just fans that don’t want to lose Robertson?

Either way, I think they need a top prospect and think they’d prefer Robertson over Amirov. NHL-ready, success at all levels of play, creative offensively — he just seems like an obvious target for NSH. Only knock would be his size, but I don’t think that’s as big of a concern as it used to be.

Having said that, I don’t see Forsberg being traded.

Forsberg's their best scorer. Scoring is their biggest headache. After counting 1+1, they need a goal scorer to replace Forsberg. Robertson is more of a goal scorer than Amirov, who's more of a play driver.

That's my two cents on it.

Amirov's the wrong type of player. Kerfoot's completely surplus. NSH have their RHDs set on Ellis, Fabbro, Benning and Carrier. Liljegren wouldn't be making the roster anytime soon, he'd be just as stuck there as he's in the Leafs.

Don't get me wrong - the value is decent here, I'm not disputing that. Just feel like the assets aren't the ones Preds are after - there are more significantly enticing pieces for the Leafs to offer for them. Which is my main point.

I'd much rather lose Amirov than Robertson. mThey are both valuable but Robertson's ELC is so important with the flat cap for the next few years. He will be a second line wing or third line wing if they pick someone up at the deadline. Amirov won't be ready for a few years and typically Russian players take longer to come over. Robertson also is trying his best to make the team, he didn't play in the WJC for that reason.

A lot of people who know what they're talking about would argue Amirov > Robertson (and vice versa). It's not something you see as often due to Robertson playing in NA, being nearer to NHL ready, and having exploded in his D+1, much to the excitement of Leafs fans. But people who actually scout/watch Amirov more than your average fan are are very impressed by this guy.

It's fine if they prefer Robertson, just wondered why you thought that was the case.

I’m not taking anything away from Amirov — he looks good.

Curious, where are you hearing that? And are they comparing the two or just high on Amirov? I’d love to read the articles or whatever!

Seem like a an overpay for 1.5 years of Forsberg....or any player. Liljegren, Robertson and Hallander seem like future NHLers plus two first and competent NHLer.,

It's something I noticed just from keeping tabs on him throughout the season. Mainly independent scouts and/or people who are able to watch more KHL. It's not so much a straight up comparison (though I have definitely seen people of varying credibility with the opinion that he is at least on par with Robertson), more just the statement of opinion. I don't want to misquote Will (the Scouching guy, who I have much admiration for), but he's a big fan of Amirov and I recall him saying that if he were the Leafs he'd try to hang onto Robertson only because of the immediacy of his potential impact on an ELC, but that Amirov has all the ability and likelihood to be as good or better.