Quoting: MelonVK
I took on cap dumps to be competitive after that point. I don't see the cap issue? And some easy 15 mil or so is coming off the books the year after? KK can only sign an ELC. Dumba is way inferior to Spurgeon but could probably fetch a better return, if you think you're winning a trade you should want to trade with your division rivals? I don't mind holding on to Greenway really, but I think he yields a better return than Foligno who's a defensive gem. Fiala is interesting, but he's had plenty of years to turn his dynamicism into production, and he doesn't look like he's really getting better. Atrocious defensive numbers as well, last time I checked. Koivu has no offense left in him, but he's never really been that good at it? I signed him to retire, but yeah idk if he'd play or even go this year.
I don't think you're really off on your points, but I think none of the reasons are enough to abandon the idea to trade any and/or all of the players mentioned.
Koivu was fine for offense until really this year.
Here is the cap problem:
Kunin $3m-$4m
Kaprizov $3m (need to leave his potential bonus money alone)
Roslvic $2m-$4m (guessing here)
Soucy $2m-$4m (having a hard time pinning down his number)
Georgiev $2m
Strum $1m
There is too much dead cap between M. Staal and Russell. And you have Belpedio and Menell (800k each) that will need waivers next year. I'm not against trading anyone on the team for the right return, but stocking up on mid-late 1st round picks for current 22/23 yo NHLers isn't the way to do it. Trade the older players for the picks/prospects and build around the current young guys.
Fenton actually did a lot to put MN in rebuild year 3 or 4 instead of year 1. Granny and Coyle trades were good, Nino trade was bad (but understandable), and the Zucc contract was awful.
-Zucker ($5.5m) is the wing to trade, he's on a fair contract, but it's not good. He's also replaceable from in-house. Pick/prospects are fine.
-Fiala ($3m) is on a good contract and much more useful than Zucker. His game has improved a lot since the start of the season. He still does some dumb things, but not as often. He's as good of passer as Granny and a willing shooter (which Granny never was).
-Donato is on a fair contract, but if he's just going to be a 12/13 FWD, trade him.
-Dumba is at a sell low point right now. If you get a top-6 C for him make a trade, if not then hold on to him.
-Brodin is at a sell high point currently. Looking for similar trade to Dumba.
-Pateryn is on a fair deal, but he's not needed by MN. If something okay comes along trade him.
-Foligno is the last player I want to see traded. He adds so much to the team that isn't on the scoresheet. But if you get a nice overpay for him make the trade.