This team is worse than before the trade.

This is a worse team. Defensively weaker top-4, the bottom-6 looks worse.

The team loses Arvidsson who is critical after losing Vilardi and Iafallo.

John Gibson is injury prone, had almost an identical save % to Cam Talbot last season.

Let's assume for purposes of this discussion that John Gibson would represent the hoped-for upgrade at goaltender, solving that problem for the next four seasons. That's clearly a couple of steps forward.

Losing Blake Lizotte is a step backwards.

Losing Viktor Arvidsson is two steps backwards.

Losing the 2024 first-round draft pick is two steps backwards.

Exchanging Matt Roy for Andrew Peeke is three steps backwards.

I don't think that the net is positive.

Lizotte got owned two playoffs in a row. He was not effective even strength or on the pk in the playoffs. Losing him for capspace would not be a big loss. They wouldnt miss him if he were to be dealt.

Who's his replacement?