These two trades check all the boxes for the Ducks.

Palat gives the Ducks a proper LW for the Getzlaf line. Palat can play the cycle, the forecheck, and score.

Vrbata and Hanzal as pure rentals give the Ducks stability and scoring depth. Rakell can play LW on a line with those two, shifting Ritchie and Vermette to the 4th line. The Ducks would have 3 of the top 10 FO% in the league in Vermette, Kesler, and Hanzal. The Ducks also rid themselves of Despres' contract. If the Coyotes have interest in re-signing Vrbata and/or Hanzal, these two are UFAs this summer.

If Coyotes trade is too lopsided, can add to Ducks side. Also toying with finding a taker for Thompson to open up additional cap space. Cramarossa can provide C depth, with Garbutt finding his way back onto the bench from San Diego.

As far as the expansion draft, with Bieksa waiving his NMC, Stoner and Bieksa are exposed, protecting Lindholm, Fowler, and Manson. Perry, Getzlaf, Kesler, Rakell, Silfverberg, and Cogliano are protected, with Vermette and Boll exposed. Possibility of Cramarossa and/or Shaw being exposed if signed to extensions during season.

I like them

The reported asking price for Hanzal is around a first round pick. So with the fact that Despres may not play again and his contract would be more of a dump, and that Hanzal alone is asking a first, you're not giving Arizona anywhere near enough. I think the price is too high for Hanzal, personally, but that's what TDL Deals are like, if you'll remember what they got for Vermette just a few years ago and Yandle as well. Also, with the fact that they'd be retaining salary the price would also increase as well. They'd probably want someone like Jones or Steel to make that deal go through, along with the first round pick, and honestly I'm still not sure they'd stop at that.

I don't see the Lightning trading Ondrej Palat - he is the best two way player the Bolts have plus he is LW which the Bolts are short on. The Bolts have tons of center depth so if one of Drouin, Palat or Johnson is traded it will be Tyler Johnson.

Would you do Johnson for Vatanen? I am not sold on Vatanen seems to be struggling this year but he is a major upgrade for the Bolts because once you get past Hedman and Stralman its a crapshoot.

I think the trades have a good base to them, but could use some tweaking. Maybe look for Killorn over Palat (Johnson would be too much for just Vatanen), and Hanzal is a bit undervalued in your trade, since they are only getting picks, but overall, good ideas!

As far as your lines go, I would like to see Perry and Getzlaf broken up. I think you would get more balanced lines if you switched the wingers for Getzlaf and Hanzal. Lastly, throw in Kase or Shaw over Boll.

Why would be want Killhorn over Palat? The guy is overpaid and doesn't produce any more than Cogliano (his best season was 41 pts - not that impressive for 4.5M per season). Palat is at least an elite defensive winger who can chip in 45-60 points a season. He'd make an excellent addition to the team IMO.



I'd consider it. Works better with the current line-up IMO.

Rakell - Getzlaf - Perry
Cogliano - Kesler - Silfverberg
Ritchie - Johnson - Kase

I'm just not sure a top 6C on the 3rd line is the best way to counter the loss of Vatanen.

Cool cool