Quoting: qc14
Bjorkstrand got mid round picks and pacioretty was literally free, the Jets are going to need to pay to get someone to take Wheeler even retained. They certainly aren't getting a younger, better, actually good in the locker room player back
The rest of these deals are EA trades that I guess are somewhat close in value but are just not remotely what these teams are trying to do. Schiefle to CAR is the only one that comes close but zero chance he returns Jarvis and Necas
Bjorkstrand HAD to be moved to free up cap space for Laine’s new contract. Also, Bjorkstrand had a modified NTC limiting the teams he could be dealt to. The Pacioretty situation was Vegas being OVER the cap and needing to move a big contract out to be cap compliant.
Mantha at his cap hit, at his production and with his injury history may be considered a bad contract by some in his own right.
The Jets aren’t over the cap so they aren’t forced to give away a point a game player.
Look a little closer at Mantha’s stats and Wheeler’s stats over the past few seasons. Given where Washington is at with their aging roster, Wheeler for two seasons fits better because he plays more games and produces more offence and, with the salary retained, the AAV is essentially the same.
Furthermore, his locker room issues are all because he favours / values veterans (like himself) over young players, and that wouldn’t be an issue with Washington’s older roster.