I feel Ottawa would ask Glass to swapped in that deal, and that is the Karlsson trade.

To me that's way too much to pay for EK especially if Ryan is included . At the cap next year EK gets a big raise, Schmidt might get a big one, MAF, Tuch, Vegas has no cap. The year Vegas had without EK, I don't they are really interested.

Yeah I could see swapping Glass for Hague, I think Vegas could be flexible on the prospects, though would probably prefer to deal a D vs a C

It is pretty well reported that Vegas was very interested in Karlsson at the deadline and is still one of the front runners. I think they are very interested, I think the question about what it would do to the cap is a concern, but I think it's doable. If the cap goes up just $2.5M next year that would give Vegas about $30M in cap room, assuming Karlsson gets in the $11-11.5M range, that would give Vegas about $18M to re-sign MAF and Schmidt. Tuch will be a restricted FA, but a few years away from UFA so they could probably do a bridge deal, even if it was extended to buy out a year of UFA, it probably won't break the bank. I think they will have plenty of cap space, especially since it's likely the cap will rise closer to $4-5M next year. And if worse comes to worse they could buyout Ryan after next season, that would save them nearly $4M.

As for if Vegas is giving up too much with Ryan included, I think that is a fair argument. It definitely felt a big much considering the financial relief Vegas is giving Ottawa. Maybe take back that 2020 1st rounder, or the 2nd and 3rd rd picks to even it up some.

Not terrible, but probably not close to realistic. I still can’t imaging Ottawa making this deal in July if neither Shea Theodore nor Cody Glass are involved, probably both. Not sure why Toronto makes the space clearing deal either, but that’s minor.

Well that is the thing, if Ottawa is insisting on Ryan as part of the deal, which is what a lot of sources are indicating, then their return is capped. Hague, a pair of 1st round picks, a 2nd and a 3rd is a pretty good return given that horrible contract of Ryan's that Vegas would be taking on. Add in Merrill and Lindberg could both have a little trade value at the deadline with regular playing time this year.

As for Toronto I don't see Eakin as a pure salary cap dump. He's a capable 3rd/4th line center who helps on the PK. Toronto is a playoff team lacking forward depth who could use a player like Eakin in their bottom 6 (likely as the 4C). They have plenty of cap space this year and next so it doesn't hurt them at all.