Thoughts

Canes decline. KK's MUCH more valuable than Smith. And he's unlikely to go anywhere, this certainly doesn't make Carolina consider this.

I saw some Canes post where people were saying that they wouldnt mind KK gone. It frees up cap long-term for the Canes. They get a Teuvo replacement and can run Aho, Drury, Kuzy & Staal as their C core.

Issue is they don't need a Teuvo replacement. That would be the point in bringing Guentzel back. Staal's going to be the one to go since he's 35 and as old as time itself, and Kotkaniemi's just 23. There's no reason for the Canes to give up on him.

If the pens are taking on a 6 year cap dump I think they want more than a 4th round pick.
KK is overpaid by about 2 mil and still hasn't shown anything beyond being a bottom 6er in nearly 400 nhl games. At this point he is what he is.
Maybe if the canes want to retain 1 or 2 mil I could see the pens taking him on.

Buffalo has zero reason to make that trade. UPL is playing better than jarry.