This is the Jones trade and a cap dump combined together, with Neal and Koskinen being the dumps.

NOTE: Korpisalo can be replaced by Elvis if it makes this trade more realistic.

Edmonton would be able to re-sign RNH, Larsson, and Smith for another year. Seth Jones would be excellent on the top pairing with Nurse and being able to play with McDavid and his brother means Edmonton is one of the more likely teams he would sign with. Korpisalo would be the 1A to Smith's 1B and can take over once the latter is done. Most importantly imo, Robinson is a good option for McDavid's LW as he can keep up with McD's speed and is very effective along the boards, he is a vastly cheaper version of Hyman. Robinson would allow Drai to center his own line, improving EDM's depth substantially.

Holloway would have the opportunity to play as a 1C with CBJ, which he wouldn't have in EDM with McD and Drai being ahead of him. Bear would be the bottom-pair RHD for EDM with Jones in their lineup. EDM would give up their 2022 1st in exchange for an extra 2021 1st, that 2022 1st would more than likely be later than both of the 2021 picks they will own after this trade considering their new lineup.

Some possible changes that could be made in this trade involve which picks are traded and whether or not Bear is a part of this trade. It also depends on how likely EDM is to re-sign the players they receive, playing with McDavid is quite enticing and Jones would be able to play with his brother. This trade would solve multiple problems for each team; EDM would get a top-pairing RHD, a starting goalie, a winger for McDavid that allows Drai to carry his own line, and $5 million in cap relief that will allow them to re-sign key players. CBJ would get a good center prospect in Holloway, a lesser replacement for Jones, two players (Neal/Koskinen) that can be used as bait for the trade deadline, and draft capital for 2022.

Any thoughts or potential tweaks to this hypothetical trade? Even if this one doesn't work, EDM and CBJ make for good trade partners this offseason, with a smaller trade being possible.

I'm just wondering why CLB is giving up the first in this deal. They are taking cap dumps in Neal and Koskinen, which would be the first round pick cost from EDM. That leaves Bear and Holloway for Jones, Korpi and Robinson. I'd say it's a pretty good deal for EDM without CLB adding the pick. In fact, I'd say add another pick from EDM with a stipulation if Jones resigns.

You're likely right, I added that first from Columbus because I'm not 100% sure on how much Holloway is valued by EDM so I played it safe.

I have no doubt he's valued quite high, but a 1 A/B goalie and a stud D man should most definitely be valued more for this team. If they were able to sign both Jones and Nurse long term that would be one heck of a first pairing.

Are we pretending that Jones wants to play in Canada? Because he doesn't.

Value seems to favor Edmonton.