Edmonton still needs secondary scoring? Nah, they're getting tertiary scoring right now. If they're spending high picks it'll be to shore up defense and goaltending.

And as I mentioned in the I mentioned post, it frees up cap space for the Oilers. So a 3rd. Whatever. $900 K in cap space is worth something at the deadline...... then they can shore up what ever else.

It doesn't free up cap space though. Turris is only like $500k against the cap right now.

I still don’t think the Rangers should make any big moves. They don’t have any playoff experience and will likely get destroyed in the first round. Everyone who wants to trade the house for a long shot at a cup seems to be forgetting the team is still dumb young. And trading away multiple young assets now is how you end up in a bad cap situation with no youth to infuse into the lineup in a year or so.

Except I argue Brassard can still play bottom 6 minutes whereby Turris is a dead spot. Turris is in and out of the Oiler lineup out of necessity. That is where the savings come in.

Brassard isn't breaking into the top-9 in Edmonton, I don't see them going out and spending anything much to improve their 4th line for 5 minutes a game. And anyway Tippett likes his 4th liners to PK and Brassard doesn't.

I just don't see a fit no matter how I look at it.

Your opinion is noted.

Generally I agree with what you are saying.

Here is thing thing I see about the Rangers though.

They have vets in that room - Kreider (leader), Zib, Breadman and Trouba. They remain the guys stirring the drink while the next generation cuts their teeth.

Sheshterkin should be in the Vezina conversation, Fox is line for Norris #2. Miller is slid into the top 4 seamlessly.

This team can go imo, but is missing a piece.

So, do you send the message to the roster you feel it can win, or send the message of standing pat with hopes you can win.

There is a conundrum.

Trades look reasonable to me. Maybe JVR and Brassard go to different teams , but the thought process seems very practical for all the teams.
Ristolainen would be another who can traded at TDL

I looked at trying to move Risto, and given the season he hasn't had and what else is in the market, I debated if there is a market at all...... Just didn't see fits.

But I appreciate you see the practicality in what I am doing here.

Rangers say NO THANKS, they already have a legit 2C and 2 scoring lines. Keep your rental and they will keep their picks and prospects.

The issue I’d have with the oilers trade is he’s going to come in and play 3c id rather call up Holloway and play him there instead. It’s a decent enough trade but in all honesty I’d much rather Braun for insurance reasons if Barrie bouch or ceci gets hurt then need to play russell on the right side which is far from ideal.

Brassard would be on the 4th line if he would even be in the lineup, and from what I’ve heard, he’s not a PKer… there really isn’t room for him.. don’t think I’d want him even at a 4th rounder, so a very simple no at a 2nd.

Except I would be playing him on the right side.

Rangers need a RW..... it's kind of obvious.

And unless they move Trouba in the offseason, I think they are hard pressed to keep Strome.... so going for it right now makes some sense.

Rangers need a RW, 3rd pair LD and some depth, but that doesn't mean they are going to give up a grade A prospect and a 1st round pick for a rental. They can get a RW rental like Smith or Kessell for way less. No chance Drury does a trade like this.

Smith is a great option, but, there is something about Giroux's sandpaper that could make the 2nd line just nasty to play against.

Hear what you are saying 100%. Rangers have options. Giroux is one..... Just like the idea of a Kreider-Strome-Grioux line. Two guys stirring it up. Just a whole lot for the opposition to handle.

To me Braun's decline has started, I dont think a 2nd rounder warrants the return.
He is marginal upgrade at best on our bottom D bodies.

We dont need marginal upgrade, I'd rather take a chance on another Hutton like last season.


Braun will likely fetch a 2nd TBH, but Leafs should not make the mistake to pay that price.

Giroux is a great player and would love to have him, but he is a pure rental and no player is worth giving up Othmann and a 1st as a rental. Its not as if the Rangers are one player away from winning a cup.

A 3rd line left winger making 3.5 is not a worthwhile way to spend the money or the asset for Ottawa. JVR is not a fit at all in Ottawa's top 6, and isn't what they need at all on what would presumably be their defensive line next year with (I'm guessing) Pinto and C.Brown. he'd provide some pp2 value, which isn't nothing, but it's not enough at all to make this worthwhile for Ottawa.

The Sens need to target something WAY more meaningful, ideally a right shot RW to play with Tkachuk-Norris or with Stutzle.