Vancouver isn't trading Demko. Nylander holds more value than Pulju simply because he's playing in the NHL, so that's a pretty lateral move. I think VGK would try to make a bigger splash than Gustafsson, but at the same time they've lost a lot of prospects trading for Stone and Pacioretty.

The biggest reason i see the VGK-CHI working for both is VGK is kinda in a bind for cap. They don't have any cap room, IMO is VERY attractive to teams like TOR,VGK,EDM who are under a huge cap strain and need some defence

Vancouver while i know it seems stupid to trade Demko they have to make a move before the expansion draft or they lose Demko for free IMO. I dont think a ton of teams are willing to give SEA what they gave VGK in order to protect players. At least in this case they can get a goaltender whom can steal a series in the playoffs (Whom IMO has done in multiple times before) & a draft pick if he walks at the end of the year

Edit: Besides the why is the value close to what would could consider fair for both sides?

Yeah, but Gustafsson is nothing more than a PP QB, Vegas already has that in Theodore.

Vancouver would be better off trading Demko for something more ling term if they trade him at all.

If VAN traded Demko what would you think is fair in return?

Something much more long term, a solid D prospect to replace Tanev/Edler eventually.

Well the thing I feel about this trade is that it would be the Canucks stating they would be going all in this season by getting a 1A/1B system with Markstrom and Crow. I think the thing that makes this trade so unpredictable in value is that Demko himself is a young goalie with a lot of untapped potential but not quite the results he was hoping for. And yet he is still a year younger than crow was when he got into the league. In an up and down Pacific Division, this definitely puts the Canucks in serious contention with VGK for the Pacific title, so if they decide they can give up Demko and have Markstrom be the long term starter going forward, I think they make this trade if we retain 3 M of Crow and put in a 3rd or later rounder. Its definitely an interesting one for sure, atleast to me. With Lankinen and Delia somewhat up in the air, this adds another young netminder to the mix, I'd probably have to say I atleast strongly consider it

Not a bad VAN-CHI trade though I wouldn't be happy with the others. In saying that Lankinen has looked good in the AHL and performed at the Worlds last year so we may go for getting a different return.

Is Vancouver really close to contending with Vegas? Getting a back up goalie puts Vancouver in the same conversation as Vegas? I'm sorry but I'm not buying that.

If you think Crawford is a true backup you are mistaken. CHI IMO has 2 of the Top 15/20 Goaltenders in the league (Assuming Crawford is healthy) At Very Min Crawford is the #1/2 "Backup" in the League when healthy

I mean as of recently they've been showing they can hang. They're on what, a 6 game win streak with an OT win over Vegas and a 4-1 win over the Pens to start it off. Not saying they are a cup contender, just saying they've been showing life recently in a division where really only 2 teams have been doing much lately

I know he's not a back up, my point is Markstrom is probably better than him at this point in his career, and Vancouver would be mortgaging a decent chunk of their future for someone at the tail end of their career.

I understand your point, for the 2021 SEA expansion draft VAN can only protect 1 of Markstrom or Demko, they are going to lose one for nothing in June

Considering Markstrom would be older, and certainly on a larger contract, protecting Demko wouldn't be the worst idea. Of course I understand your point with him still being an unknown and such.