I like the return for Holtby, but I really like that someone else isn't short-changing Carlson on here. I mean, he's having a good year. http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/2017-18-nhl-defensemen-stats.html

I think 56M is market value, and hopefully he wants to stick around.

Not sure I'd pay Johansen to swap one year of Burakovsky for two years of Toffoli. I'd probably offer Burakovsky an Eller-like extension, then play him full time with Backstrom for a couple years and let him get those Toffoli-like numbers, before deciding whether to keep or trade.

Johansen was the top scoring defenseman in Hershey. Give him another year to get better than these guys before panicking about the lack of immediate space on the Caps' blueline: https://theahl.com/stats/player-stats/all-teams/57?playertype=skater&position=defencemen&rookie=no&sort=points&statstype=standard&page=1&league=4

Okay... no... not the raise to Eller's cap hit, with Burakovsky's goal totals the last two years, but the idea of keeping the current cap hit and extending it a few years to avoid losing money on the open market or being on the hot seat of trade rumors next year. Toffoli has a ton of even strength goals and really does provide more offense than Burakovsky at a 50% higher price for one year, until he hits UFA and disappears in a puff of money.

Edmonton doesn't give up Klefbom, and unless Holtby can prove he is still an NHL starter the Caps are giving up a high pick for someone to relieve them of cap-space.

Thanks for keeping us honest, neighbor. Remind me which Islanders "starting goalie" had 34 wins this year? Oh right. Their top two guys didn't get that much done this year. https://www.nhl.com/islanders/stats/regular-season/goalies/w

Let's see what some Edmonton fans say, though. https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/654294

That's waaaay too much for Toffoli. You're giving up a young top 6 forward (that can reach the same point totals as Toffoli) and a future top pairing dman for a top 6 forward. Pass.

Caps giving up a bit too much in the EDM trade. EDM would have to throw in a 2nd or 3rd most likely, but it's close.

Does 1 bad season really mean Holtby isn't a starter? Look at every great goalie ever, they all have down years, not just 1 but a couple.

That's such a straw man argument; so because Carey Price had an off-year (one of multiple he's had) he has to prove once again that he's an NHL starter? What? I'm sorry but half a season of bad play doesn't diminish in any way everything else that proves otherwise.

Holtby is a little better than Price at 3/5ths the cap hit next year. And Klefbom had a worse year this year (21pts, -12). Holtby won 34 games. This deal is too good for Edmonton. Take out Vrana. Put in Connolly and a 2nd, and the Caps should do it as a way to cut cap space and keep Carlson.

Saw it again today in a Pittsburgh fan's build that let Carlson walk and I wasn't remotely interested. Works if the main return is Carlson, though, and Klefbom is the #4 D.