So Buffalo gives up Krebs and a high 2nd, and gets back Durzi..

.. no

I'd do it from LA's perspective if Washington retains 50% on WIlson's contract.

Kovalenko had the 3rd highest P/GP in the KHL, replace him with someone like Beaucage

I mean what do you think the cost of good young defenders is? Capitals gave up Gustafsson and 1st to get Sandin. Durzi had 38p in 72gp and showed he can play top 4 minutes

that can work

Although to be fair, if Krebs and a 2nd could be had for Sean Durzi, I think I'd prefer to just make that trade directly with Buffalo.

tell me who the top KHL point leaders are and then show me how they did in the NHL. Kuzy at 50% retained will cost you a good/great prospect especially with the pick being late.

In my opinion that’s one too many assets for one year of Wilson. I would counter either with Iafallo and Kaliyev straight up or 2 of what you proposed above with salary retention.

thats fair but then you dont have Wilson who is the guy La wants...

imo if Wilson is made available and he comes with an extension there will be a bidding war for him

Wilson is likely a rental, which would make the package from Buffalo more appealing.

Yeah doubtful that LA is "kicking tires" on Wilson for him to be a rental. just isnt logical.

Krebs also has never scored more than 26p in a season.... find it funny his deal would be more appealing.

Yea, but would I trade Krebs, Kaliyev, and two 2nd round picks for Wilson? I don't think I would.

yeah thats not the trade....

Durzi Kaliyev and a 2nd for Wilson

Durzi for Krebs + 2nd

if you think LA would rather have Krebs than Wilson i think you are wrong bc Wilson immediately improves the top 6 Krebs plays where?

Can't see the Avs trading the 2023 1st for Kuzy, even with half retained. I just don't think the Avs are going to try and fill their gaps that way.

16 of those points came from the PP. who’s he gonna supplant from the Sabres PP to help rack up 40% of his total points? He’s not worth both of those pieces from Buffalo. He also has a negative 12 +/- while getting 55% ozone starts. +/- isn’t a great stat, granted, but when the team over all was +10 and you are -12, can you really say he played well in top 4 minutes?

TLDR: Durzi is good/great on the PP, and about average to slightly below 5v5. Buffalo already has Dahlin and Power manning their PP spots. Not a great fit, but I’ll concede if someone needs a PP specialist and a not out of place but not good 5v5 player, the value might be there.

Avs are currently sitting in the prime of their cup window .... i HIGHLY doubt the keep a 1st and move forward with the massive gap at center they have. doesnt have to be Kuzy but they arent going to have Newhook at 2c and expect to win a cup

If Durzi is equal to Krebs an a 2nd, than that would mean Wilson is getting traded for (Krebs and a 2nd), Kaliyev and a 2nd.

Kings might not be able to afford an extension, which is why I think they initially trade for him as a rental. I’d certainly love to have him though if it came down to it.

Looking at players in the same age range compared to Kovalenko's 0.96P/GP in his D+5 year:

Kaprizov was at 1.09P/GP in his D+5 year
Kuzmenko was at 0.53P/GP in his D+5 year
Nichushkin was at 0.54P/GP in his D+5 year (although had NHL and AHL experience before that)
Barabanov was at 0.45P/GP in his D+5 year
Mikheyev was at 0.73P/GP in his D+4 year (came to NHL in D+5 year)

The KHL is very hit and miss, and theres definitely some guys who lit up the KHL which didnt translate to the NHL, but theres a real chance he ends up as a high end NHL player. If I was COL he would not be on the table

Durzi 5v5
51.54cf% 52.61ff% 51.34xgf%. he also had a 46.83% offensive zone starts. 5v5. He's a RSD that would easily complement both Power and RD. Durzi is a strong skating RSD that can move the puck well. this is why he is valuable.

Kopitar and Arvidsson's contracts are up when his extension would kick in thats 16 million + cap going up

Not looking for offensive d.

My point exactly you took the best cases... this kid could be the next Panarin or Jaskin. Kuzy is a 70p 1b center. A LOT of people on this site like to be short sighted but just last year he had 78p in 79gp. him at 3.9 million for 2 years is for more than a 1st + a KHL risk who isnt even signed yet. Now if Kovalenko was Kaprizov type talent i would agree.

Durzi had a 51.34xgf%... hes not exactly EK65 / Carlson "offensive only" type

Last year (22/23) 5v5 he was 51.2 CF% (-.9 CF% rel), 52.2 Fenwick (-1.8 rel) with 51% ozone starts. Idk where you are getting your stats, mine are from:

https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/d/durzise01.html

So nothing that I said changes. He’s not getting PP time in Buffalo, so therefore he’s not worth what you are asking.