Without Bjorkstrand this team might challenge the all time record for goals allowed.

Kinda Doubt they signed Gudbranson to that 4 x 4 with plan of playing him on the 3rd pair

I would've done Severson and like a 2nd/3rd for Bjorkstrand. Can't believe he got moved for that

Whether or not trading Bjorkstrand was the right decision, it's not really up for debate that they got hosed on the return

Depends on what the ask was to dump Nyquist. If it was a 1st then that means Bjorkstrand's value is about a 1st, 3rd and 4th more than Nyquist in a normal year. Pretty fair valuation IMO. Just comes down to the league in general is nearing cap hell and this is the price of business when you have no choice but to make space.

With respect, that's a total cope answer. That's like in 2016 when Oilers fans were saying "it's really Lucic, Puljujarvi and Larsson for Hall".

The rumoured ask for Van Riemsdyk was Philly's 1st and he was owed $1m less than Nyquist. It's pretty likely the ask for Nyquist was at least the same. The math here is that they either trade Bjorkstrand for what they got or they trade Nyquist and it probably costs them their 2023 1st. Much easier choice in those terms.

Also, of course I'm trying to cope. The Jackets just lost a hell of a player for peanuts, but that's just the reality of there being next to no cap around the league and adding $15m over last year between Gaudreau, Gudbranson and Laine's raise. I'll probably readjust my view of things again if someone manages to dump a player who is owed money in the $4-5m range based on what they have to pay to do it. I know Vegas already traded Pacioretty for nothing, but Gus is nowhere near a Patches in terms of value.

Idk you can just as easily make the reverse argument. It's easily worth a 1st (protected obviously) to dump Gus and keep Bjorkstrand.

I dunno, I'd probably be pretty good with getting a mid 1st in 2023 for Bjorkstrand considering the Jackets are very deep on the wings. I'm pretty sure I've said in the past that I'd want a 1st+ for him with expecting the 1st to be late from a good playoff team.

worth to dump a 2023 first when there is a big chance we will draft top 10 next year? lol

"It’s easily worth a 1st (protected obviously)"

If you're bringing in Gaudreau you're no longer trying to suck. Keeping Bjorkstrand would have been a great way to accomplish that.