I worry about trading this kind of package for Elvis being the main piece coming back. It just seems like every single year there are multiple young goalies that streak onto the scene and play admittedly amazing, but the year over year staying power is questionable. It means A.) you might be able to find another young star yourself or B.) The likelihood of a sophomore+ slump is pretty high.

The goalie position is huge. I really do believe that. But the odds that Elvis (and his grand total of 33 games played) doesn't turn into a full time starter for 6+ years....also high. Once there's more data on him, the other teams will find and expose any possible weakness he may have. It's just a lot to give up for something so unproven AND at a risky position.

Merzlinkins> Strome? You could convince me it’s even, but I don’t really think Strome is anything more then an average center.

Murray> DeHaan because of length of contract. Both have a long list of injury’s in their past, both are top 4 LHD when healthy. This could be toward dehaan if you want the term. Columbus will need cap space in the next 2 years so they’d prefer Murray.

Wennberg=Smith. Wennberg is better and younger, but also over paid. Smith is a 4th liner and making too much. So it’s kinda a wash.

4th<< 2nd pretty self explanatory.

IMO I don’t really think Strome is more then a 3rd line center without Kane and Columbus doesn’t have a player remotely close to the skill level and vision of Kane. I could see Strome struggling in Columbus and being like Wennberg. A couple good years and a bunch of oof after being paid.

I can also tell you Columbus would be smart to keep Merzlinkins as neither he or Korpisalo showed they can be a true number 1 for a full season.

I know you’re a hawks fun and like Strome, but as a view from Columbus I don’t think this is a good trade for them as I’m not sure what Strome is without Kane, from the few games I watched of Chicago’s when Strome wasn’t with Kane he was kinda invisible.

A valid assessment, although I contest your opinion of Strome. For all of the credit JC ( our coach) gets with working/developing young players, he sure does misuse them a lot. He left Alex Nylander on the top line for way to long, when he obviously needed more time learning how to play in the nhl. He played Strome on the wing for some inexplicable reason, and when he did play center he produced well enough next to a struggling DeBrincat.

My point, however confused it might be, is that he is being misused in Chicago by our coach... in fact I believe we would have made the playoffs this year if he had iced the best lineup/lines.

I won’t disagree with that as I think both Bowman and JC need to go for Chicago to get back on track. I also think it would be a mistake for Chicago to trade Strome as Toews, Dach, Strome as a center core is pretty good. I just don’t think PLD, Strome, Wennberg, Jenner is very good. Strome needs a player with him to take the defenses eyes, is Kane or Cat, even what struggling Cat takes the defenses eyes. Columbus really doesn’t have that outside of PLD and maybe Bjorkstrand but that’s a stretch imo.