Im starting to think going for it makes sense. However I think CGY and carter decline

I know there prolly needs to add more for Calgary trade. An as far as Carter we need to get rid of that contract unless we keep him on the 4th line and keep White on the 3rd. I do believe we are in on Bertuzzi and Kuzmenko but idk what either trade will take.

What are you giving Calgary?

Add more for the Calgary trade is an understatement. Literally nothing of value there for them.

Rust and Carter's NMC's decline

CGY declines, outside Graves and 2nd you're giving them nothing.

TOR probably declines too as Smith still has a year and Bert comes off the books after this year. Only way I think you can trade Smith is in a hockey Trade (Smith for Saad straight up is an example i've seen.

Hawks decline. They're not trying to win NOW. And Rust's age and contract don't fit the Hawks' rebuild plans and timeline. His presence on the roster, while helping the Hawks win some games in the short run, would impede the paths of the many kids the Hawks have - and will have - drafted into their system.

I see the Jeff Carter Fantasyland trades are still going strong. 🙄

Hawks decline; he's not worth his $5.1M cap hit, is on the wrong side of 30, and has way too many years remaining on his deal. None of that helps a rebuilding team.

A realistic trade for Kuzmenko and Hanafin is Yager, 1st, 2nd, at minimum

Could probably get a return for rust from a playoff team but the hawks are in no position to be adding anyone 30+ with more than 2 years left on their deal. Hence why everyone they've signed recently is on 2 year deals

CHI and Rust decline. If they ask Rust to waive, he is more than likely going to be very picky about where he goes. You're options are already limited considering his age and contract, and adding his total control on top probably means this is about the best offer you could hope for. But, if PIT has to wait two years until he doesn't have a clause anymore, he could easily be a cap dump at that point.

I clicked this expecting it had a trade of Columbus giving up assets for him, so I'm just pleasantly surprised OP thinks Columbus is spending assets at all to acquire an unnecessary depth defenseman.

What is your issue with Rust? Just curious.

Also, he blocks the trade

I really don't mind the Columbus trade, actually. POJ would be a great 3rd-pair left side guy, and could be for a while. He's not the player you break the bank for, but if he gets a cheap extension and only costs a 5th, I like that a lot.

That's under the assumption, of course, that at least one of Bean or Provorov is gone by TDL, and Provorov for sure is gone by the start of the preseason. Z-Jiricek, Mateychuk-Severson, POJ-Gudbranson/Boqvist has the makings of a pretty solid D-core long term IMO.

I don't hate it but it presupposes so many other moves on Columbus's end that it seems unlikely for in-season.

My issue with Rust is I think we wasted signing him to that contract and I don’t think he is a 1st or 2nd line player. He’s a 3rd liner at best on any other team. Sully continues to give him chance after chance even when the line of Crosby, Guentzel and Rakell was producing he splits them up to add Rust to the line to try an get him going and then adds him to the first PP and does nothing. I know he’s a good penalty killer but just a wasted contract. Just my opinion.

Well he's proven he's a top 6 player. Yes - and he's performed with those chances. Guentzel/Crosby/Rust has produced just as much - most likely more. Nobody on the PP has done anything. He's scoring at a 67 point pace while playing both sides of special team - just don't see how that's a wasted contract

I see your points just feel at a scoring point and being more physical he’s a guy and contract we need to trade.