If Bouchard were available there would be a bidding war for him. I expect EDM would prioritize roster contributors rather than futures.

I really think ASP is the answer for the next 15 years to lineup behind Seider once he is ready, so I can't see Yzerman acquiring anyone this significant.

I agree. I think Ras is a good place to start but would need to include maybe Waldman or Maatta to offset what is lost on D. No other forwards fit the bill because theyre either not difference makers or someone Yzerman would not be willing to give up.

Edited the trade a bit, think this makes a bit more sense

We would be extremely fortunate for ASP to turn into Bouchard.

Both Albert Johansson and Michael Rasmussen are NHL ready contributers.

Albert Johansson is quite far from being an NHL contributor.

You have to play in the NHL first...

To say he is not NHL-ready (or was not ready, not sure on status post-injury) is a disservice to his very good showing in the pre-season.

But then again, you're a prospect Debbie-Downer, so me stating to you in particular is pointless.

Once again, you're living in LA LA Land and baselessly propping up another prospect. He was mediocre in GR, at best. Aside from being a homer, there is absolutely no truth to the statement "he is an NHL ready contributor".

He has never touched NHL ice; he has never played an NHL game. By definition, he is not an NHL contributor.

In EDM Maatta is a 3LD and Rasmussen is a 3 or 4C. Doubt Bouchard would ever be traded without a huge overpayment, but guessing if he were fair value would only be considered for top end talent that will be long term in EDM.

I disagree about Ras but yes to Maatta. Ras is developing into a really nice big power forward and he's a Holland draft pick. He could easily play in their top 6/9 on the wing and on their PP.

Also agree, would have to be a really nice package that Yzerman couldn't or wouldn't want to put together. I edited the trade a bit with taking Ceci back for cap cushion but I still don't fully like it. If only Holland drafted Bouchard...

Not beyond depth roles. EDM trading their 1RD for a few depth players is a guaranteed losing proposal.

Why would you think this is close for Bouchard? IMO you're miles off fair value. A bottom-6 forward and a 1st doesn't get you close.

And you're asking Edmonton to downgrade from Ceci to Maata, too.

None of this makes sense.

If you want Bouchard, it's either gonna start with a piece you won't want to move (e.g. Edvinsson) or it'd be a very uncomfortable package.

I can understand Johansson as a depth player (I think he comes as a good 3LD), but Rasmussen is an extremely versatile player coming into his own. To call him depth is a disservice.

I was going to do my sarcastic quip of "trade a good prospect for a bad NHL player," but it gets a little tiresome, so I wish you an alright day and au revoir.

LOL, really? Who is he gonna displace on their PP? or in their top-6? Hyman? Kane? Nugent-Hopkins? Draisaitl? Come on man, try to be realistic.

The trade is for Edmonton's 1RD and their 2RD.

I specifically said in the post that it's probably not enough for Bouchard haha

Probably isn't certain enough

He could easily play on their PP. He has developed into a really nice PP piece.

Nugent Hopkins could very well bump down to 3C and that gives EDM a significant 1-2-3 punch. You try to be realistic.

Or Ras could play on the third line...EDM bottom 6 is quite weak.

He's had one good NHL season. He's inferior to Hopkins, Kane, Hyman, Draisaitl, McDavid. Probably no upgrade on McCleod. Projecting him into a contender's top 6 is 100% homer. Many stronger offers would be given to Holland for Bouchard.

So he'll play above who on the PP? McDavid, Draisaitl, Hyman, Hopkins, or Bouchard?

If he was a R-shot, he'd be a whole lot more appealing. The team already has quite a collection of L-shot Cs and Fs.

However, the point stands that, to this point, he's a 3rd line F that's gonna be similar in value to McLeod (perhaps a slight edge due to his size). In other words, not the central piece to a trade for Bouchard.

In fairness, he never specified that he'd play PP1. Could've just meant that he'd play a key role on PP2 or could maybe translate his massive size into being a boon to EDM's PP in the long-term.

If Rasmussen is at center, he'll play behind McDavid, Draisaitl and McLeod. If LW, I don't see why he would slot above any of Nugent-Hopkins, Evander Kane or Warren Foegele. His 5v5 scoring was lower than all these guys last season. Why would Edmonton trade their young stud RHD (a position of weakness) for positions that they already have covered?

PP in Edmonton is McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, Bouchard plus one of Hyman or Kane. Nobody from Red Wings roster would displace any of those guys.