I think the blues would prefer a 2023 first if they are selling Tarasenko. Blues already have Krug and Leddy on the left side so I doubt they are wanting to add another 4-5 million cap hit on that side. If they really wanted Graves they could wait until the offseason to sign him

Nope.

Although they kind of need to. They can’t dedicate that much to Graves as a UFA unless Leddy/Krug are moved.

In terms of the trade proposal, I would imagine the Blues would pass. I think they’ll really shoot for a 1st with Tarasenko. I’d imagine Foote is somewhere around the value of a 2nd? I know trades don’t work like that but i don’t think he’s a strong enough prospect to accept a 2nd in return for Tarasenko. If Graves needs to be thrown in for cap purposes I’d imagine that would be alright, however we have tons of those bottom pair to middle pair d men on the left side who are more so specialists of some sort. Graves is probably an upgrade on Mikkola, but we currently have Mikkola so it’d be hard to fit everyone in the lineup. Wouldn’t see him holding much value to the Blues unless they really like some of his analytics

I just hope they get rid of Krug. I like him as a player but he just doesn't seem to fit in much with the likes of Faulk and Leddy. Just think it'll be tough to move him.
Graves was thrown in for cap reasons and I agree Mikkola is a solid bottom pairing. Plus with the likes of Perunovich hopefully coming back, he is a cheaper, younger player similar to Krug's playstyle.
In terms of the 2nd vs 1st, I bounced between the two but thought a second would be more likely to get accepted for sending out a B-tier (projected middle of the lineup player) but a first isn't out of the question. Maybe if the Blues send back a late round pick to make that happen

Graves was thrown in more to make the money work. Originally was going to do Foote and a 1st for Tank but the money wasn't there. If there's a third team to absorb more cap, then maybe that would work. I just downgraded the 1st for a 2nd just due to the fact another player got thrown in. Could be a first still, especially if the Blues are willing to send a late round pick the other way.

In terms of Leddy and Krug, I think for long term success one may have to go. I like them both as players but having our top 4 making the money they do all with NTC makes it tough. I would think Krug is expendable with Perunovich in the system (although he has injury concerns). Similar play styles, just a lot younger and cheaper. Graves could be a solid fit temporarily until ScottyP can prove he is worth the starting gig on the second or third pair

I don’t disagree that we need to move on from Krug. But that’s mainly due to how our pairs and cap is currently constructed. Krug hasn’t been good this year, however, he’s been a top end PpQB for years. He certainly has value and I don’t think it’s any coincidence how good our PP has been since we got him.

The issue is we don’t have an all situations LD. Leddy is a poor mans version of that which is fine. But when you have 10.5m cap allotted to 2 LDs and nobody that can comfortably play 22+ mins without giving up a goal or two every night there’s a big problem.

If we had a Bouwmeester equivalent to play with Parayko our D levels out much much better. The issue is I don’t see where you find that unless it’s via trade, but we aren’t really in the position to be trading futures with all of these UFAs and our lack of truly knowing which direction we’re going. Regardless of which direction. I’d hope we’d sell off the UFAs because this team can’t win playoff series giving up 4+ a night.

Yeah one of Krug or Leddy would have to go but no one is going to trade for them unless we add 1st round picks and prospects to the deal. We are essentially stuck with them unless we give up a lot of assets to move them or we trade them for an equally worse contract

I don’t think that’s necessarily true. I think that salary would certainly have to be taken back in any deal for Krug. But at what point does it make you a worse team moving on from him. He does provide a major boost to the powerplay.

Devils don’t give up graves in a trade he is a big defensive piece for them and they will keep him for a playoff run

Severson is a RHD who could probably fit in instead of Graves

You’re overlooking the bigger issue. We can’t afford to spend on a D Man unless there’s one going out the door

I don't see salary retention taking place in any trades this year given how much cap space is an asset. NJD wants to shoot themselves in the foot signing Palat to that term and cash, that's gonna cost them.