I proposed a trade before the season started Danault for Ullmark. Bruins fans said not enough for Ullmark and Kings fans said it was an overpay.

The Kings should not trade for a starting goaltender this season. The flat cap and the Kings limited space will make whoever they target prohibitively expensive. Get as far as they can with who they have. If needed, trade for another strong performing rental backup at the deadline (like Korpisalo from last season), possibly Lankinen if he does well.

Make a move for a goaltender in the offseason when the cap goes up and the Kings aren't cap strapped.

I'm sure realistic Kings fans said that there's no way that Danault waives his NMC under any circumstances, so price is moot.

If he likes LA that much then that makes sense, I could also see the Bruins pitching him the number one center spot between Marchand and Debrusk which might entice him to waive it especially after the Dubois trade which will limit his ice time playing on the third line.

For Ullmark at his current level of play, I think the rough price is probably a 1st and a 2nd round pick (one of which must be 2024 or 2025). Bruins need top 6 talent (centers now, wings in the near future) or high end picks to get that, so that is what they will seek in return.

For LA, I think it starts with either one center prospect like Turcotte/Pinelli or the 2024 1st round pick. It is too early to tell if Boston is a playoff team or not, so their willingness to part with him could increase or decrease as the season goes on, and that will affect the price. If you want retention for the 2 remaining seasons, then probably a 2nd rounder for 50% or a 3rd rounder for 25%. If you need to send back a goalie and bottom 6 players to make the salary work, then that probably also increases the price since Boston doesn't need either of those things and the cap is so tight this year.

He's said the day he was signed that he has no problem being the 3C on the Kings. He wanted a more offensive role than was offered in Montreal, and he's been given one in LA. Even with Dubois on the team, Danault is still a permanent fixture on the 2PP.

"I think you need three good centers to win, so 2C or 3C isn't that big of a deal... other than maybe a little bit of ice time." -- Danault

Pretty sure the only guys on your list who are currently available are Vejmelka and Hart, Ullmark might become available later but the others are not likely being traded

For Samsonov it would probably depend on Wolls success, and how well Sammy himself performs. If he’s like he was last year I’d be ok with probably 2 2nds (No retention) coming back.

A Danault for Ullmark swap could make a lot of sense for both teams - gives Bussi a chance to develop behind Swayman in the NHL and let Swayman become the guy. LA gets a top-tier goalie to contend, Byfield takes over 3C, and Danault gets more minutes in Boston.

Won't happen. Danault says no.

Binnington isn't going to be traded before Hofer cements himself as a decent goalie in the NHL

I kinda doubt the Blues want to talk about Binnington, especially the way he's opened the season. Another huge factor, which people tend to forget, is Binnington's elite puck play, which is integral to the Blues system. And honestly, I don't think the Kings have what the Blues would specifically want anyway.

Hart is probably a 1st and a 2nd or good prospect I would do 1st and Turcotte for Hart with 50% retention

It’s fascinating to watch the perception of value. I’ve never seen more terrible goalies at the NHL level yet fans of teams have this perception that you can get adequate goaltending for cheap because there is an example or two that emerge every year (the lots if failures don’t seem to matter).

From my perspective, I don’t see any reason for Boston to trade from their goalie pair. The defensive structure is their biggest strength and they can afford to wait until their cap goes up. Unless a team pays a premium, I’m OK going with the two very good to great goaltenders

This year is so tough to make deals because of matching salary needs and I think the disparity of value perception of cap filler makes it super difficult to come up with a pairing.

If Boston is open to retention, I think teams would pay a significant price for Ullmark and it’s easier to match 2.5m. I’m not sure I see a Kings package I like with Ullmark fully retained that they’d give up.