McDavid

Oh hell yes Ottawa accepts

I think Ottawa would accept even without the first round pick lol

Take out one of the sweeteners and they will accept

I've seen people say JJ Rust and a first isn't enough to dump JJ, JJ's contract is <1/2 Lucic's negative value wise, and Rust > Pulju, and EDM 1st could be worse than PIT's depending on what they do with the cap space bc rn I don't have PIT making the playoffs...

The value to get rid of Lucic's contract without taking any cap back is equal to the value gained in moving Lucic to replace him with a UFA of equal salary. In other words, EDM would be better off just keeping the picks and prospects with Lucic than Trading Lucic with them only to replace Lucic with another 5-6M dollar player in free agency like Zuccarello or Nyquist or whoever.

Essentially, barring a GM going full Chiarelli and taking Lucic on a lark, the only realistic options for Edm and Lucic is: (That doesn't involve losing picks and prospects)

To OTT for Bobby Ryan - This only works if Melnyk is hell bent on cutting cap space and actual dollars spent. This move saves him a little dough and still gets a player capable of playing in the NHL. I personally would rather have Ryan as at least he can score and be a threat more often than Lucic would but it only comes down to dollars spent in this case. EDM would pay slightly more than Lucic but get a player who could actually produce some offense and has a contract that finishes a year earlier.

To VAN for Eriksson - This would have been a swap of problems only. A second chance for both guys to rekindle their careers. Its worth a try.

EDM simply buys out Lucic. - Very small cap savings but the benefits are they don't have to think about Lucic on the 50 player roster anymore and they don't have to protect Lucic in expansion either.

The 3 way trade with 50% to any team - The last option involves everything being perfect and everyone doing Holland a little favor for a future benefit down the line. Basically EDM trades Lucic to X team with 50% retention. That team then trades Lucic again with 50% retention. Each team getting compensation in the form of picks along the way but it would be way less than Lucic without retention. THEN right before expansion, Lucic is bought out by the 3rd team. Now IMO I don't think any team really wants to do this. Cap space is soooo important lately that it simply is not worth a couple picks at the end of the day.

Other than that, its the waiting game. Maybe if EDM is lucky Lucic is able to rebound a little and just plateau as a 3rd liner who fights and puts up 30 points a year with a bit of PP time. Sucks but is not the end of the world.

Ryan can still play whereas Lucic is a fourth line player...no deal without some retained salary. Same for Ericksson since his contract is one year shorter. Most teams don't have the space to take on the extra cap needed for these trades.

Why? Even if the deal is "fair", which UFA is Edmonton going to sign that justifies giving up a potential lottery pick next year and 2 skilled young players?

Did you even read what I wrote?

"To OTT for Bobby Ryan - This only works if Melnyk is hell bent on cutting cap space and actual dollars spent."

As for Eriksson, he wants out. hH's requested a trade so there isn't any value to be had there. Its only swapping problems in hopes each guy can have a rebound year. Eriksson is 33 years old. Lucic is 30. The small difference in Eriksson being better is negated when he hits that wall of age that turns him into a player that isn't even worth rostering anymore aside from the leadership values. Lucic as bad as he is can fight and hit and intimidate still at the very least. He's also a Vancouver native. Hence why its worth a shot.

I ready what you wrote and agreed with what you said, you should actually read my post.

Haha ok man.....