I wouldn't trade him either, but I think we're going to have to trade him for something like this before next year since we won't be able to afford him anyways

I will say though, he'd drive Trotz bananas. Skilled as hell, but he turns the puck over a lot with his high-risk, high-reward play

He gets moved in the offseason and they probably try to use his money to get a top 6 C. I haven’t looked at their cap for next season so I’m not sure that they’ll be able to do it but I bet that’ll be their goal.

But he is committed to becoming better defensively and a more complete two-way player. If there's any coach in the league who could draw it out of him while retaining that offensive talents, it's Trotz.

But yeah, this is the kind of package I'd be looking for in return for Fiala.

Bailey to Ottawa makes no sense

Here’s the thing with all of this becoming better defensively talk, it shouldn’t matter. He’s a goal scorer and that should be the only thing that matters.

Let’s also not act like him shooting 3% on the year isn’t the issue right low when he’s a career 10% guy. Evason taking him off the PP is malpractice.

I don’t think Trotz would mind another guy that can transition like Barzal. That could just be me though.

Ottawa declines.