Easy no from BUF. We're giving up the best player in the deal and taking on the worst contract?

Yeah not a good trade for Buffalo

I would like to disagree, ZAR is a top 5 defensive forward in the game this year, and Simon has been quite effective playing with Crosby... (Miles better than Sheary) plus ZAR has been part of PIT's only consistently good line

You can also argue the other way that we give up the two best contracts (and a pick) and get the worst player...

how does the cap work with Byfuglien contract termination?
It's all salary right? so it just comes off the books?
That's how I'm taking it. So why would they agree to retain, for 2 years?
They cut him lose after monday I think and he can't play this year. Which is their plan apparently. Then it clears the cap space.

Nothing against ZAR or Simon, but we have plenty of defensive or bottom-6 forwards. I like both players and would take either of them in the right deal, but not for Montour.

At the end of the day though, JJ is a non-starter. Any deal that he's included in will be an easy no because of his contract

I just want to remind that Athanasiou is the worst player on the worst team in the league. he isn't bad because he plays for Detroit, Detroit is bad because they rely on players like Athanasiou.

Rutherford's job secured

I would figure that it might be like Kovalchuk. However, isn't Byfuglien actually broken? And like 285 pounds right now...?

While yes, he is overrated and not good... He is unfortunately not the worst player on DET (he would be the worst player on most NHL calibre teams tho...)

Get real Detroit's not trading AA for Justin Freaking Schultz whom is RHD pending UFA this summer. Detroit is set for the last time for the foreseeable future at RD with Hronek, Seider and Lindstrom we don't need Schultz and Detroit's 2020 2nd round pick #32 overall isn't available unless it's used to get another 1st round pick perhaps in the mid to late teens. Safe to say that Rutherford's job is safe and secure.

From what I read if they cut him on monday, he can't play this year.
Or what ever the date was. It prevents him from signing anywhere else. Which is their screw you to him.
I don't know if he can play this year due to the injury or whatever. But I do know WPG can make sure he can't play this year and still terminate the contract. Which from what TSN said, is their plan.

yeah Detroit's 2nd rounder is probably going to be 1 pick behind ur 1st rounder so they probably dont trade it

I agree I think it's safe to say Detroit isn't on Schultz's list. DeSmith hasn't even played an game in the NHL yet this season we are good with Bernier.