Poulin and Smith aren’t prospects at all. They’re AHL players.

Sharks might consider this but with no retention on Duclair.

Smith might be, but I think Poulin has the chance to be a decent bottom-six player. The Pens just simply don't have the time to wait and find out. Regardless, in terms of value for a Duclair trade? It's fair value.

A 2nd is enough for Duclair at full cap. The prospects are the incentive for the retention. It's fair.

It’s not that your evaluation is off (if anything you’re overpaying lol) - but the Sharks only have 1 retention slot.

I think many fans are speculating it’ll be for Couture - or involved in a larger cap related deal (maybe it’s being a 3-way, maybe it’s for Barabanov or Duclair to cap strapped team for an overpay, who knows).

They’re suggesting the Sharks be happier with a more clean trade less pieces/ no retention.

Fair points there and that makes total sense.

I can't see any team going out of their way to pay another team to retain on Duclair. More trouble than it's worth, but who knows.

Happens plenty. Minny’s Guerin has done some fine cap management to gain free 4ths I believe a few times by doing some necessary retention for 1 year.

Imo it needs to happen more. Having 2-3 retention spots empty is wasted assets. Gaining a 4th-5th for 1 year of retention if your teams already set for the playoffs is effective and efficient cap management.

How about Duclair for that 2nd staight up?
No Poulin, no Smith, no retention.
Fair trade?

Or can't fit Duclair under the cap without retention?

I was interested in Poulin when I thought he might be part of the Karlsson trade. And maybe Smith could be the offensive Dman the Sharks need. I see the logic.

Yeah, we can't fit him without the retention and someone else brought to my attention SJ may be saving their one retention slot possibly for Couture. A third party would have to get involved, and if that were the case, then yes, it would likely just be a 2nd and whatever incentive we'd have to pay team X to retain.