With regards to where the Rakell inspiration comes from, Nashville moved Arvidsson to clear space though, no? Gotta assume they wouldn't have been so horned up to pull the trigger on that deal if they didn't have something else planned with their (at the time) limited space.

IMO, there's really no rush to move Rakell. Ducks have plenty of cap space, and he's far more useful as a veteran winger to ease some of the stress on their young forwards than a 2nd and 3rd would be at this point. I feel like if this was the best they could do for him, they'll either try to extend him, or see if there's more value at the deadline.

Edit: YELLING!

Lol I know what you mean about the yelling, this guy the other day was acting like I was working for the team I did a "what if" GM mode for...

Anyways, I could see that Schmidt trade working but I kinda feel like FLA likes Nutivaara since Zito brought him in from Columbus. Maybe another defenseman instead, but not impossible for sure. I wonder if you'd need to incentivize Seattle to take Holtby, but if you're retaining it makes it easier. They could run Holtby, and pick 2 more guys between say Driedger, Vanecek, Talbot/Kahkonen, etc. I think Rakell you may have to give up more just because I could totally see a team like Toronto going nuts and throwing in a 1st or something, but certainly possible. Oleksiak is a good fit too. Haula could work, I like Reimer as a good backup but maybe his numbers dip compared to the Carolina defense. I like it overall though and not too crazy.

Thank you for your edit, I had trouble properly processing your feedback until I realized it was being yelled at me.

I started to type everything with the caps lock on, but looking at it hurt my soul.

Back to the matter at hand...I think you've gotta either retain on Schmidt, or take back a bad contract to move him though. Florida might have a bit of space right now, but when you really handcuff yourself on a Barkov (and then Huby) extension when you're taking on that contract.

Interesting.....many seem to be fixated with looking at all players with sizeable contracts as cap dumps. I don't see Schmidt as that (and don't think the Canucks do either) so I think that value is potentially accurate.
Rakell is a nice player, but I don't see him moving for picks and Vancouver shouldn't really be trading picks for an upcoming UFA at this point. I'd much rather get a Foegele or Lauzon if we are moving out picks and a second and a third might get both.
Seattle will not have much to pick through on Vancouver's roster as it stands. Lind or Gadjovich need waivers this year and probably don't make their initial roster so that seems like a wasted selection. I don't think Highmore or Hawryluk have any real value as players or trade pieces. That leaves Roussel, Beagle, Holtby, Bowey and MacEwen. Maybe Seattle takes MacEwen, but Beagle and Roussel IMO actually bring more value as players and potential trade pieces. Their salaries are less than their cap hits and they may have value a the TDL with cap hit retained. My guess is it will be Roussel.
I like your signings except for Sutter....can't we just move on?? LOL.

Thanks, good ideas....

Im not sure I can register all this. These seem like constructive and reasonable comments... not what I had planned for this morning.

I agree with what everyone has said. I do believe Schmidt is more valuable than just the 3rd he was acquired for but not a ton more. Maybe its Gudas instead of Nutivarra? I actually don't know if I think Rakell is a great fit but I think he could be a guy that moves up and down the wings and will still be able to contribute. Anything more than a 2nd and 3rd and I am out and it seems as though that would be the case so maybe no bueno on that deal