NYI needs help on defense, with Sekera expected to bounce back, that’ll give them a big boost in their top 4, and a fresh start for Ho Sang. That gives us cap space to sign Carlson, solidifying the D core, and not giving up prospects, picks, or roster players on good contracts (like Klefbom) means that the cub boards will look pretty good after the draft for a change, and with Grabner and Ho Sang, we improve our forward depth on the roster. There’s a bunch of guys who can play up, down and all over the lineup, leaving a few reasonable options for who ends up fitting in the top 6.

This also allows us not to rush any of our prospects into the NHL, and gives them more time to develop (Bear, Jones and Yamo being the most likely candidates to other wise be thrown into the deep end to soon). If any of them legitimately prove they’re better for the job than NHL player, great, but otherwise there’s lots of time for them to play in Bakersfield and get the occasional call up for injuries and not leave us too hurting.

Talbot and Koskinen can both compete for the starter job, and whoever does better can get a nice contract extension, and someone from in our system could be ready to move up as a backup by then, or else we can shop next off season for a stopgap if need be.

Another Classic Chiarelli move - lose the trade but clear cap, spend the cap on aging free agent. Why can't Oilers win a trade now and again, or at least break even??

like you said....Chai. Has he ever really won a trade?
Tabot....maybe(1 exceptional year followed by a bad year)
Hall vs Larson....woof
Maroon from the ducks....the only bright light on his trade history
Griff Reinhart for 16 overall and other pick......oh boy
Now chai is in full panic mode and will do something really really bad. like Drai for Weber bad.