I like what you've done here, but I gotta think that if Paul takes that contract then TB keeps him around.

I think he'd get the AAV from Tampa but not the term. Fair point though.

Ifs he signs for that he's wearing a lightning bolt making another 500k Or so im lower taxes

He'd be 28-32 when has that scared TB away?

I'm of the expectation that the Bolts aren't interested in long-term deals for anyone in Paul's age range until they have more clarity regarding what the cap looks like post 2023-24.

I say MTL makes that trade if Luneau is still available at that pick.

Seattle blocks the caller

Don't see Paul @2.5 aging badly don't want to go any further than that.

That contract is perfect for kuemper but when it comes down to it I think he signs with the Avs hopefully

I don't care for anyone's ignorant takes anymore: as per NaturalStatTrick, Barrie is the 17th-most productive defenceman over the past 3 seasons (filtered for defencemen that have played >1000min 5v5). That total jumps to 10th-most productive if you include his power play production. Soucy is only the 93rd-most productive defenceman by that same metric: Barrie has quite literally produced 2.5x more points than Carson in that same timespan. Tyson Barrie is an asset with value, please stop kidding yourself.

Imagine how stupid you'd look thinking Quinn Hughes has zero value in a trade. The two players compare one-to-one in every metric except age.

Your own silly biases aside, Seattle lacks a right-handed puck-moving defenceman, desperately needs a power play quarterback, has left-handed rearguards in spades. Edmonton needs to lose some cap and Seattle has room to accommodate. There isn't a better fit for either club. Edmonton should be asking for more, I merely find the above return the bare minimum for acceptable.

I don't disagree with you but I can't help but notice that the Cernak, Cirelli, and Sergachev contracts all expire at the same time, that 2023-24 figure I cited. Even if they move McDonagh and find a way to keep Hedman at a reasonable AAV, I can't see the Lightning being able to spend actual cap on their bottom-six.



Unless they move Girard for a centerman to replace Kadri, the Avs are probably better off adding up front and finding a guy to platoon with Francouz.