With waiver rules, Vegas will have to deal players for picks, or make some 2 for 1 deals otherwise their picks will be lost on waivers after training camp. The Duchene for Neal deal gets them a younger player (whose on the market) and gives Colorado some much needed depth (at reasonable cost). Vegas can only draft so many goalies- Mrazek being available is a surprise- and because of his age holds more value to a young team like Arizona than Fleury would. If a contender needed a goalie- it could be Fleury that moves. With not much available from the Washington roster- signing Alzner makes sense- like Duchene he is still young. They apparently have a deal with NYI, but not sure if Cizikas is included in the 'dont pick list', but theyre getting a high pick in return (and Shipayev? will likely take a roster spot). Vegas could easily grab quite a few decent draft picks between now and the trade deadline, while still icing a respectable team (unlike previous expansion teams like Ottawa and Tampa-ugh!). These moves Ive suggested keep them just over the cap minimum, and without any majorly bad contracts that would hamper them past a season or two.

Colorado will be trading Duchene for high picks, good prospects, or good young players. Three depth pieces who will probably be off the team by the time the Avs are good are not going to cut it.

Boston fans thank you for selecting Jimmy Hayes