If Jersey takes Kakko, the Rangers get exactly what they need. Slim chance though imo.

Probably is a slim chance, but I feel like it is a lot closer especially with the way Kakko has played recently and now it’s not a definite 100% lock that Hughes goes 1

IMO if it’s too close to call between a C and a W, you always take the C

No chance Columbus takes that trade. We don’t need or want another RHD with Jones and Savard as the top 2 there’s no room for shattenkirk. Yes he could be the third pair, but he won’t be happy and there’s less expensive options for that spot. Also that trade is pretty one sided in the rangers favor.

I think we’ll have bigger fish to fry what with hell freezing over

Lindgren is a decent prospect, I get it with Shattenkirk. the reason i included him was because we were taking an unfavorable contract in wennberg back. I would also ship shattenkirk somewhere for picks and use those picks for the package (or use one of our late first rounders as a last option)

yeah because the title is IF JERSEY TAKES KAKKO.

The gap is closing, we will see after Kakkos performance at worlds if he can close the gap even more. Jersey went off book with Hischier and that paid off, it is a slim chance that it happens yes but this is simply a scenario if it does. You don't have to pointlessly troll

I like your trade ideas. Only one that might be tough would be Columbus. Kreider & Andersson is a big package, and I think you can get more than a 4th for Vesey/Smith even if it's a partial cap dump. Just wait until McDavid comes in a few years..

1. They didn’t go off the books.
2. It hasn’t paid off.
3. They’re taking Hughes

Surprisingly their biggest need is wing, but either prospect works wonders for them.. At center they have Zibanejad, Chytil, Andersson and Howden.. That's a solid 4 right there, getting Hughes just makes andersson expendable to address other needs (winger in Nylander and a RH shot)

I don’t know much about Lindgein tbh. As for Wennberg he does have a high cap hit but he’s not a cap dump yet. He still has the ability to put up points. He just hasn’t been put in the correct role to do so since he started to struggle. Torts wasn’t very patient with him and moved him down the depth chart and ruined his confidence. Once he regains his confidence he’ll be fine. He’s solid defensively so if he isn’t producing offensively he’s not a liability in his own zone. I do like the fact that you moved him to the wing though.

I mean, Nolan Patrick was the lead front runner for a clear 2 years before his injury, and I would rather have Hischer than NolPat right now.

Weird

1) Not every word that comes out of your mouth is gold
2) GTF over yourself
3) This site exists soley for scenario based options
4) The consensus #1 was Patrick, so by taking the consensus #2 option in Hirschier they went off book,
5) I believe Hirschier has performed better than Patrick to date, so yeah it did work out. They should've gone Pettersson but still it worked out considering Pettersson was initially ranked 8-12 so why would they

The thing is, and a lot of people seem to miss this, is that Kakko can play center and has played it at some points in this career.

Ryan Kennedy - The Hockey News Feb. 1st: "Kakko played a meaty role and even elevated the play of older linemate Eeli Tolvanen. Kakko has the ability to play center, but he also showed in Vancouver that his combination of smarts, size and skill works pretty well on the wing anyway."

Bob McKenzie - TSN Jan. 24 th: "Kakko is 6-foot-2-1/4, 194 pounds and has an attractive blend of size, strength, speed and skill. He’s played well against men in Finland’s top league and while he’s been mostly a winger, there are occasions when he’s played centre. He was a driving force for the gold-medal winning Finns."

He has the attributes to play center if he wants. What he would need is a team to be potentially a little more patient with him in order to develop at it a bit. But given that Hughes is a very small player, he may be a natural center but he will be a pushed around one for the first couple years until he put on some weight.

I don't think anyone should choose Hughes simply because he is a center. He has a different skill set and that is what you want from him.

He was the main return out of the rick nash trade besides the 1st rounder. Stay at home defenseman that can skate, loves to hit even though he isn't the biggest body. He won't be a top pairing defenseman but he has the potential to be a decent 2nd pairing guy, will most likely be a good compliment to an offensive defenseman. If you look at his highlights it's almost all big hits. Kronwall-esk defensive style of play (not saying he'll be as good or offensively productive). Hes arguably a "b" level prospect, maybe b-

edit: Basically, he's the type of defenseman that Torts loves

Yawwwnnnn

It was about 50:50 between nico and Nolan. McKenzie has nico, so did Craig Hutton. It was really split 50, 50. I don’t think either will be elite, both will be complimentary players, and I think Nolan’s style might be better suited for that.

There were plenty of better players to be picked

edited the trade a bit, added a 3rd, 4th and some slight retention on shattenkirk, not that columbus needs it as they'll have a ton of cap this summer if they don't sign the UFAs

Pretty solid trade for Nylander and Trouba I think. Columbus trade leaves much to be desired though. I don't think Columbus would give up on Murray especially since he has become integral in their blueline this past season.

i think it will completely depend on what happens with the teams UFAs