I don't see any reason for EDM to trade a potential top pairing D man for depth garbage.

Depth garbage??? As long as you think Sanheim is garbage...then I guess I can't argue.

Are you claiming Mitchell is Sanheim? That is a bold statement!

I'm claiming that Ian MItchell is a SOLID prospect much like Travis Sanheim was 3 years ago when he was in the WHL. After the Draft...Draft status has nothing to do with progress just like Ghost was a 3rd rounder in 2012. He's done pretty good in the NHL.

The oilers make that deal without Bouchard. You could probably pull that third round pick too.

of course they would. I want Quinn Hughes and Brock Boeser for a 7th too....

So again, how does that add up to Bouchard?

It's a combination of reasons...and yes I do understand the quality vs quantity argument. Sometimes that Quality/Quantity works out reverse too! Hershel Walker for a bunch of no name guys like Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodsson. For the record, no problems if anyone disagrees, I just push buttons so people provide support rather than 1 sentence comments.

EDM needs help everywhere. This attempt was to try to solve a bunch of their problems. I personally believe that CAP and Depth are their (2) largest concerns. It's not high end talent...to me. McDavid/Drai/RNH Kelf/Nurse/Larrson are quality players. Having guys like Lucic/Russell/Gagner/Manning/Sekera is just killing this team. The lack of cap prevents EDM from getting any decent depth. Kahun produces away from the PP and doesn't HAVE to be with McDavid. Getting quality depth is important.... Let's look at goalie depth too. Hayden Hawkey??? Why would MTL trade him for a 5th if he was really all that good. Oliver is a fine goal prospect, but contrary to most...I think they need serious help here. Signing Mikko to that crazy deal is evidence of this.

Who exactly is the depth garbage? Two 20 year old former 2nd round pick defensemen prospects or the full time top 9 winger? Even Forsberg could be their number 2 goalie...

Kahun played with Debrincat and Strome and still couldn't produce like a 2nd liner. Forsberg is currently, what, 4th on CHI goalie depth chart? Ok so you get 2 former 2nd round prospects and a 3rd...not worth losing Bouchard over. If the Oilers want to trade someone for depth it should be RNH.

110% fair comment! RNH, Manning, Gagner...COMBINED can still get you something decent in return. To me, it's that darn cap. They're so tight up against it and still such a mediocre team.

That's hysterical! Gagner and Manning are both cap dumps; hot garbage.

Chicago should not do this trade whatsoever. Mitchell, Kahun and a 3rd rounder straight up for Bouchard is questionable. Mitchell looks extremely good and will be a very solid D man. Kahun is in his rookie season and first season a NA sheet of ice...he's got a big ceiling. Taking on Ganger and Manning's cap dumps is just bad and make this trade an emphatic "NO" from Chicago.

Bouchard is a very good Dman that really should be in the NHL today. His ceiling is higher than Mitchell's. The fact that Boucahrd's in London with Boqvist actually helps considering he'll have (3) years of ELC left on his contract. He also plays more of a 2-way game where Boqvist is offensively minded. Just imagine that right side!!! Joki, Boqvist Bouchard??? CHI can roll (3) SOLID Dpairs for a VERY long time. Gagner and Manning are only for 1 year.

But you're giving up Kahun who is a very solid top 9 forward today and proven who's on a rookie contract and giving up Mitchell who is absolutely slated as a top 4 d guy. So you're giving up those two assets plus a 3rd rounder and returning back 1 player (who is better then mitchell) and taking on 2 cap dumps...it's not a balanced trade because of that.

All that said, neither team is looking to part ways with ELC's either as both are going through a retool or rebuild.