I really like the NJ trade for both teams.
I'm not so sure CAR takes Kulikov off your hands though
Signings all look pretty competitive to market value, though I do think Husso might top $4mil in free agency and probably longer term.

I'd leave Hartman on the top line and let Zacha play with the kids (unless you're trying to protect Rossi with him).

All in all, this is a nice piece of work.

I am sorry but I don't see it. One of the NHLs top scoring wings, a Starting goalie, minnesotas 3-5th best prospect, and a 1st rounder for 2OA and maybe a guy who can play 2nd C minutes?

I saw it more as, a streaky ppg winger, a goalie that seems to want out, a prospect that doesn't seem to have a spot in Minnesota, and a late first, for a potential franchise center at 2OA and a solid top 6 forward

It's pretty simple. MIN = Cap Hell for the next 3 years
Can't afford Fiala's asking price.
MIN has a pretty decent system, so the loss of a 3-5 ranked prospect isn't going to kill them
Current pick is at 24, and a player drafted there probably won't wind up in a top 5 prospect spot anytime soon
Zacha gives them a young player who still has upside at a reasonable price
The 2OA most likely gives them a player ready to step in now and contribute (or maybe next year) with the entry level contract coming up as they move out of cap hell
This is a good deal for MIN, and at the perfect time.

I'm not sure what you expect to get for Fiala.........Even though he's an RFA, he's got Arb rights guaranteeing at least 5.6, but with his performance will be awarded a lot more (and will ask for it too). Last thing you want is a key part of your team holding out and getting less for him.

Talbot doesn't want out. Where are you getting that from?

There hasn't been any reports that say he does. Russo has reported the exact opposite, in point of fact.

May have been some clickbait type news, but I saw him and his wife weren’t happy with the playoff situation

We just see it a lot different...no harm no foul.

With respect, as I've always valued your opinion. You're the most sensible Leafs fan on here by miles.

Losing Addison does in point of fact, hurt us. The Wild's prospect pool is stacked, especially at Defence, but it's all LHD. Addison is the only RHD of note of the entire bunch. Lambos, O'Rourke, Hunt, Peart are all lefties. Even if both Hunt and Peart can play their offhand side, that isn't exactly ideal.

Furthermore, if Fiala is reasonably worth 7th overall and say Jarventie from the Sens, this is an absolute overpay. Fiala and Addison alone, or Fiala and the Minnesota 1st (24th ova), should be enough to acquire 2nd overall in what is considered to be a weak draft. The 2nd OVA is being overvalued here, giving up 3 high-end assets for it is asinine.

And Talbot and a 5th for Zacha is a joke. Zacha doesn't carry that much value.

For me, this is just me.... the best scenario would be a 1 for 1 trade with some like Vancouver for Horvat.

Second best is an A prospect that is ready to take Fialas spot or at C with a mid to late 1st round draft pick attached.

Third is a top tier pick with a B+ prospect attached.

I think picks are lottery tickets and would rather have a bird in hand then two in the bush.

It was definitely clickbait news. I've seen it, and they weren't credible.

And of course they weren't. But that doesn't mean he wants out, either. He admitted he was pissed, but that's normal. He wants to play. He calmed down, talked it out with Guerin and Evason during exit interviews and has stated to Russo that he both wants and plans to be back next year.

I think Fiala's streakiness is blown out of proportion. It basically has to do with the quality of linemates he has. He gets 1 decent linemate and he takes off:
19-20: 44 games with Koivu/Parise 9g/18a.
19-20: 20 games with Staal or Zucker and puts up 14g/13a. (looks like a hot streak at face value)
20-21 to Boldy being called up: 81 games with junk 27g, 34a.
After Boldy was called up: 51 games, 26g/38a. (too many games to be called a hot streak)

125 games with junk linemates 36g/52a
71 games with just one (not 2) competent linemate: 40g/51a

It's hard to rack up points when you're stuck with guys that are black holes in the o-zone.

Nailed it.

Just a thought on the Canes trade, Canes would want retention on Kulikov, but a third team would have to get involved since Minny can’t retain salary. Would you be willing to drop the 3rd to a 4th and the Canes send a 5th or whatever to retain half on Kulikov? I do think a third would be fair value, but the inability to retain might hurt his value to certain teams a bit. Plus, I have seen so many ACGM done with Kulikov to the Canes for either a 3rd or a 4th, so there are quite a few differing opinions.

Maybe just change it up to be a conditional 4th based on games played and progress in the playoffs, much like the condition on the pick in the Kuemper trade. Upgrades to a 3rd if the condition is met, and if the condition is not met, the Wild get a 4th and 7th round pick. Would that be more acceptable?

I'm going to be honest, I don't find this a weak draft.........I think the top end talent goes at least 8-9 deep, though there are no real immediate superstars right off the bat, and definitely not a "generational talent"

That being said, I'm sure NJ would still entertain the offer with a lesser D prospect like O'Rourke or Hunt, but I don't think MIN would change out Addison for Lambos or probably even Peart. You guys are just stacked in the prospect pool.
You're probably right on the Zacha for Talbot portion, but if you can get Husso I personally think it's an upgrade as Talbot has shown over his career that he can have prolonged slumps, that tend to come at a bad time (though he was pretty good last year). And you've got Wallstadt who I think will be ready to take over the reigns in the next 2 years.
I just think the 2OA is too good to pass up, because an impact player like that will fit right in with Boldy / Rossi and all those other young studs. Zacha is just a place holder for now. A youngish guy, at a decent cost who can maybe add to this team offense

Personally, I don't like the one for one Horvat deal. I just think Minny already has enough guys that are just like him.
The 2OA should get you an A prospect.........Unless Billy really messes up the pick, which I don't see happening.
Picks usually are lottery tickets, but I tink a top 3 pick should be a slam dunk for any team that has a great scouting staff. And based on the last number of years, MIN is top tier in that department

No problem having different opinions. Every NHL GM so I think we can too

But didn't you know? I am an NHL GM...........at least I like to think so

LOL

Solid breakdown, thanks doing the legwork and pulling the numbers.

Zacha is a solid top 6 forward?