Well, for starters, there is no conceivable way gardiner gets a first round pick in return

I definitely disagree here. I think Pittsburgh is the perfect place for him, especially for a playoff run. There’s enough other responsibility and D-Zone help there to help cover up the Bad-Jake moments.

I could see this. Blues would have to be happy with that return, though idk if they want to move on from him. Pens fill out their D, and Leafs get their top pair righty.

He might help them, but neither they, or any other team in the league will offer a first rounder. He’s a rental, he’s a bottom pair d. Wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t get many offers of a second rounder

I’m not saying the value isn’t there but I don’t think the blues will move Parayko. Pietrangelo will be moved before him IMO.

If Pittsburgh wanted a LHD to make a shot at a playoff run, they could get Muzzin for an extra year instead of having to give up a 1st for Gardiner.

Lol, love it... 40 point bottom Pairing Dman. So much hate. Now admitidly he has his deficiencies but he at least brings in a 2nd and a prospect. Not that I want to get rid of him anyway.

it's relatively commonplace to have a third pairing puck moving d man that specializes on the PP. They cannot play against top six competition, but move the puck well. Hell, my team has a 59 point third pair d man. It's normal

Well Gardiner and zaitsev have let in less goals than either of your top pairs so really what does that say?

Gardiner is a second pair guy, just needs to be paired with a stay at home Defender, Unfortunately on the power play he is all by himself.

While he does suck defensively, he is a 50 point defenseman. Shattenkirk brought in a prospect and a first rounder from Washington.

and that trade was horrendous. I'm guessing GM's will have learned a bit from that. He also only has one year of 50 points, and one year of 40, and the rest are in the low 30s.

If it's a low first a team will be willing to pull the trigger. That being said, I don't think Pittsburgh will be the team to do it since they have no solid prospects outside of Hallinder, but a team who hasn't won needing more offense from the left side (Winnipeg) might be willing to pull the trigger since they have defensive stalwarts on the right side.

I actually considered Winnipeg too, glad I wasn’t the only one.

It just makes sense for them. He'd be a pure rental player who can help move the puck up. Morrisey is fine, but lacks the offensive chops of Gardiner.