Why would Preds do that? They already have great goalies.

Washington gets another gamebreaker (other than Ovi) and a top 4 D-man.
Nashville gets a 1st a G to play with Saros when Rinne leaves (He’s 35! If Nashville can then make another big trade to send Rinne somewhere and get another really good piece in return, they’re in good shape).
Toronto gets a top 2 D-man, 2 1sts, a prospect D-man, and a 3rd line C behind Matthews and Kadri.

Just thinking ahead. Rinne’s an upcoming UFA in 2019 (and 35 yo), so this allows them to trade him and get a lot in return.

At first I read what the Caps give up, and thought, "no way," but then I read what they get, and I was like, "way."

This hinges on Toronto acceping the value of a "sign and trade" before another team does.

But....

Yep.

Maybe if they get Boyd, Barber, Komarov, and Zaitsev?

Not sure what's in for the Leafs or Carlson? You know Carlson is a UFA, at least you could give a contract figure that the Leafs could live with and a figure that would entice Carlson to forgo exploring free agency.

I want this to happen but no way in hell NSH does this. They already have Saros, who's at least as good as Grubauer, they have no need for him.

Fair question.

Probably just realocate the 8x8 some Leafs fans are giving Nylander to a more proven player at a more valuable position?

MacLellan tipped his hand in a press conference and implied Carlson might be seeking 8x7 in free agency. Not MacLellan's finest three seconds. But 8x8 should be enough more than that to make Carlson happy. Could the now-Nylander-less Leafs afford it?



As talented, sure, if less experienced. What do think of adding:
Boyd, Barber, Komarov, and Zaitsev to Nashville,
And sending Grubauer to Toronto?

Nashville still needs a 3rd from each?

In exchange for Ellis? I'd want something a little more substantial rather than quantity.

And that’s what I feel I gave them. I like Grubauer and think he really can b a starter soon, and with Rinne’s contract ending next summer, and him being 35, the Preds can get something good for him before he’s not as good.

I think the Preds would rather ride him out 'till he retires and then go with Saros.

I like Zaitsev about as much as Ellis. He eats as many minutes. Hits more. I threw quantity because Ellis had a better year this year, but honestly, some of that is a product of the team he's on. Nashville's defense is so deep it made Shea Weber look like a Norris candidate two years ago.

Maybe leave Nasville out of this and just trade Grubauer for Zaitsev. I think that's what I'm getting out of this.

Yea and that would b a good idea except that wasn’t my original plan. My original plan was getting Nylander for J.Carlson, but then I wanted to replace JC, and that was when I included Nashville. Plus, I figured Toronto wouldn’t need Grubs because Freddy Andersen’s their solid 1G.

McElhiney is 36. Sparks was an AHL all star, but that doesn't necessarily translate into the level of backup they need to win a Cup. They're not going to pay a starting goalie price, but I think they'd give Zaitsev for a backup goalie just to dump Zaitsev's 4.5M cap hit.

The Caps already have Niskanen who can get almost 50 points a year as their 2nd unit power play quarterback, signed for three more years. Bowey is all offense and no defense, and represented Canada at WJC. So the harder part of Carlson is the part that plays a ton of defensive zone minutes and comes out pretty unscathed. Zaitsev is overpaid for his total lack of offense, so Toronto would see him as a salary dump, and happily take back a cheaper backup goalie for him, but he's the right handed Orpik the Caps actually need if they lose Carlson. Sorry if I"m being all "eat your vegetables, kids" about this. Ellis would be more fun. Unless it turned out that without Josi or Subban and without 55% offensive zone starts he isn't as good of a puck mover? Then he'd be kind of disappointing at the kind of price it would take to pry him out of Nashville. So.... pass, due to market forces.

I might be alone in thinking Carlson is more valuable than Nylander, but I'd happily make that trade one for one due to the lack of NHL precedent for sign and trade deals. Do any fans of other sports want to weigh in with comparables?