Joined: Jul. 2017
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 172
A few questions and comments:
A) The way things are going, they may not have to trade players to tank.
B) Not following why you would package Hayes and McQuaid together. Hayes should most likely yield a first rounder, a prospect, and another conditional pick if he resigns. McQuaid should yield alone around a third or fourth rounder, and maybe a B/B+ prospect the Rangers could take a flyer on. I think NYR should move them in separate transactions, because they would receive more return.
C) Not following why NYR would make the Sharks, Stars, and Hurricanes trades. Fast is a cheap contract and plays well, and Claesson will be a RFA, will be a cheap re-sign and does not yield a ton of return. I think they are both good players to hold onto (at least for now). Same goes for Vesey; if you want to deal him, I would wait until next season where he may have a larger role and his stats will inflate. And I think Buchnevich is worthy of a larger return than that; I'd keep him as well.
D) I do not think the Oilers would want to take that deal at all. That's a high price for an underperforming Namestnikov and a defenseman that still needs to improve defensively.
Bottom line: Hayes, Zuccarello and McQuaid should all be dealt at the deadline to three different teams for the maximum return you can get. All other trades do not need to be completed until after the season.