I think that St Louis is likely to offer Husso the same interim contract they gave Binnington ($4.4 million, adjusted for inflation).

If they have a chance to make the playoffs closer to TDL Yamo is getting traded for a goalie or a mean RH shutdown defenseman. He also has no business being on the top line or getting a 6 yr deal.

Habs dont want Barrie, at least not if we are paying for him. As a cap dump with assets coming to Montreal, maybe

Chicago isn't taking on Kassian's cap dump to get a mid to late 1st in a shallow draft year giving up Kubs. I'm okay giving up Kubs but the only reason is to move cap out and get younger...this doesn't accomplish those things

Interesting take but I disagree. Kubalik likely isn’t worth a first alone and this move gives them a mid 1st round pick + a player. It’s likely an overpayment.

Move Barrie replace with a 1/3 of the player and think going to be better for it. Just really don’t get that mindset on this site.
This concept shouldn’t be considered outside the box thinking more common sense approach why not beef up the left add some responsibility to that side and keep the guy who’s been highly productive his entire career. Hate seeing the guy who led all d in points just last year be given away for pennies on the dollar. Makes no sense to me.

I think the Oilers add a bit more just because that Kassian Contract is an anchor

We don’t need a goon

Logical but not practical. They don't have the cap space to get someone truly capable of carrying Barrie, nor the flexibility to deploy him favorably in addition to Bouchard.
The Oilers aren't strong enough as a whole to incorporate a PP specialist in a defense slot either.
While they could improve and manage better than they have been, Barrie will still be a less effective contributor in the areas where Edmonton really needs it right now.

It makes more sense to move him than to keep him at this point. How they fill that hole afterwards is a legitimate concern however.

I don't this trade is far off at all. Kassian isn't ideal, for sure. But he would be a fine veteran bottom six role player with some grit for the interim. And he would also be fairly cheap to buyout in June 2023. With the direction CHI is heading they can afford to take on more cap dumps. Plus, Kubalik isn't really proving he is worth a 1st this season. So taking the cap dump boosts the value of the trade. That being said, I personally think Kub for Kapanen, 1 for 1, is a much better option than a 2022 mid to late 1st.

You forgot rule No 1. No UFA goalie want to sign with EDM. You should know this by now.

To me I find it baffling how much focus is on Barrie.
When everyone outside of russell who sadly can’t stay healthy has been horrible on the left side of the third pairing role. Let’s address that before even looking at the guy who’s provided Edmonton more than enough production to justify having a spot on the team. Play Niemelianen for 5-6 games and see how much that transforms the d core. Or bring in someone that can help stabilize that pairing more than koekkoek or lagesson fridge nhlers at best.

The focus shouldn't be on Barrie. The focus should be on failing to set up a reliable partner/plan for him when you signed him. Keith was the mistake that put Barrie in an awkward position. You simply can't correct that side of the equation now without further complications. Moving Barrie is the simplest solution.
It's not the only option, mind you. Just the easy one.

Obviously the left side is an issue, but I see Broberg solving that. If he's not ready then obviously we go get someone, but one LD isn't going to magically solve all our defensive issues, but trading barrie for a shutdown dman AND upgrading at 2/3LD would help a lot. I don't think Barrie is a terrible player, but he doesn't have a role on this team anymore. Bouchard is better on the powerplay, and Barrie isn't that great at 5v5 to warrant having 4.5m out of our cap space. Trade him to a team that could utilize his skill set better and get cap space to upgrade other areas.

How is Bouchard better on pp? He had one good game quarterbacking the pp. Think a lot of opinions on Bouchard this season are more in line with his potential rather than his results. It’s still his first season seeing consistent ice time there is absolutely no need to rush the process with him. I’d like to see him continue to see more pk time than power play because shouldn’t ignore developing his defensive awareness. It will prove beneficial over his entire career. Remove Barrie more of a spotlight gets put on Bouchard more will start noticing the inexperienced mistakes he’s been making the harder media and fans will start being on him in my opinion Barrie has been shielding him from seeing shultz like treatment.

I'm on board with moving Barrie - but he won't be a cap dump. There will be teams that'll want him. I think you need to move him for a different type of RHD - more of a shutdown, bigger body RHD. I think the other reason why people would rather trade him because he'll get a better return than Keith. Let's be honest, if Keith wasn't on this team, then Barrie can stay and play with Niemalienen on the bottom pair. Then find a shutdown LHD - which is easier to do.

Option 1: Keep Barrie, trade Keith because he's a better player. The only thing is it'll be hard to trade Keith. Keith is good as a third pair dman - but he's not worth 5.5M on the cap.
Option 2: Keep Keith, trade Barrie. Barrie is the better player without trade protection so he is the easier one to trade.

Nurse - Ceci - both can play either side but both don't excel at either side if that makes sense.
Keith (more of a puck mover) - ???? (shutdown type)
Niemalienen (shutdown type) - Bouchard (puck mover)

I think you underestimate how bad Kassian is. I really would prefer not to have 3 cap dumps on the roster at the same time either (Kassian, Johnson, Connolly). I'd almost rather take Lavoie and a 2nd or 3rd for Kubalik than that contract.

Meh… Any or all three can be easily bought out. Johnson can likely still help this team but you can buy out Connolly and/or Kassian for cheap.

I highly doubt Johnson can help this team in any capacity, albeit it's a small sample size with him due to injury. I just don't think it makes sense for the hawks to keep taking cap dumps when they're expecting Dach, DeBrincat, Strome, and Hagel to turn the corners and reach a new level. They should prioritize putting the right pieces around those players rather than taking cap dumps and taking roster spots away from younger talent.

What younger talent…?

Barratt, Reichel, C. Dach, hell, Kurashev is getting scratched for Connolly tonight. What's the point? I rather have a younger player who is NHL ready learn and play in every game than a cap dump like the Connollys and Johnsons of the league.