Why would Boston do that?? Get rid of 1 of 2 of their only good prospects?

I could see NSH selling high on Novak at the deadline, like they did with Jeannot. It's hard to see NSH having interest in Lysell though. They have too many young wingers with higher ceilings (Evangelista, Tomasino, Kemell, Wood, L'Heureux, Schaefer, Lind). Lysell wouldn't have much opportunity with the Preds.

I think if you want Novak it's gotta start with a first. I'm sure the Preds would prefer a 2024 pick, but since Boston lacks one, they'd probably settle for a 2025 if it came with another pick or prospect, His value really depends on how he produces when this year starts. If he picks up where he left off, it's gonna be astronomical cause a lot of teams will want an offensive center who's not even making 1 mil. The best part of Novak is the cheap contract for this year. He's the perfect rental

He is projected to be either the 2C or 3C this year. He was a college kid that honestly just couldn't do wrong last season much like Jeannot had the year prior. I don't see him being a 70 point guy in his career.

Everything Novak related depends on if last season was a fluke. That's probably why he signed at such a low cap hit. He'll be getting a good amount of opportunity (likely as or 2C behind ROR). I'd say Novak would only be made available if the Predators weren't close on an extension for him. Then, I have ZERO idea what the asking would be. I could see a team paying as much as a 1st+ and as little as a 3rd tbh. He's just a very weird player to value.

I feel like Schaefer might not be on that list in terms of his upside. I don't see it with him. You think he'll be able to make it as anything more than a bottom six winger?

Novak signed when he had 11 points in 19 games last season— I’m sure if he had known he’d put up 32 points in his remaining 32 games then he would’ve waited to re-sign.

But there’s no guarantee he would’ve had the season he did at the time of signing the contract. Being a 25/6 year old player with minimal NHL experience— I bet he was ecstatic to get a guaranteed $800k on a one-way deal.

If he keeps it up, NSH could get a haul for him at the deadline. Will be interesting to see how he performs and what decision NSH ends up making with him— extension or trade. But I don’t see him being traded until at least halfway through the season if they go that route.

Peep my prospect ranking post I did last week, you'll see we do have SOME other good prospects. But not the package I was necessarily committing too. Hence why I asked.

Everyone else though, fantastic responses, thanks for all the insight!

I see him as on par with Afansyev - both have the potential to be above average 3rd liners. Maybe Schaefer (and Lind, who I don't know much about yet) don't necessarily have higher ceilings than Lysell. He'd still get lost in the shuffle in MIL/NSH though.