that's a lot to give up for Puljujarvi even though he had an amazing Liiga season

Yeah I agree, it's a significant trade. But, Colorado does have the excess assets to take a swing at him. Avs typically haven't hit on draft picks outside the 1st round for a long time either so acquiring a guy who still has plenty of upside like Puljujarvi without giving up a 1st or prospect would be pretty solid. Zadorov is getting moved regardless given that Byram/Timmins need an opportunity and due to the fact that we can't protect him in the ED next year.

The main downside here is that we'd be sending Zadorov to a team we could potentially be facing in the playoffs, which is especially risky since Zadorov's defensive strengths are perfectly suited to defending in transition against a team like Colorado.

Honestly, the Oil need a 3C more than another Left D, even though I love what Zadorov brings. If you think Jost would go for a 2nd and a 3rd, and tou think Pulju’s value might be two 2nds, honestly as an oilers fan for what our team needs I would go Pulju straight up for Jost. Does that make sense for the Avs as a risk worth taking? Jost has been a consistent but bottom 6 center, while Pulju has not broken through in the league but surely has a way higher ceiling than Jost. What do you think?

Zadorov is an LD and Edmonton has about half a dozen of those already. Why would this interest them?

Yeah i'd rather jost than zadorov

Hmm, good question.

While I often put a Jost for 2nd + 3rd trade in AGM's, I think Sakic would be loathe to move him for that sort of return. It's probably still a bit too early to be giving up on him like that. If he does get moved though it's more likely that we'd try to package him for a player who can help us immediately (eg. Jost + 2nd for Josh Anderson, or Jost for Killorn, or something to that effect).

That said, if we decide to flip him for an NHL ready prospect then perhaps a 1-for-1 swap for Puljujarvi would be a decent gamble.

Either way I'm kinda on the fence about it.

On the one hand Jost is at least a solid 3rd liner for us, offering versatility up and down the lineup. He's not a liability in a checking-line role either as he works very hard and is solid defensively.

On the other hand, if Puljujarvi can put things together he could be a tremendous addition to this team, given his size, skills, and speed. We also have a couple of Finnish forwards who can help him settle.

Another point to consider is that if we're acquiring Puljujarvi that means that we're giving him a role in our top 6/top 9 which could otherwise be given to a more high-profile and proven forward (eg. Dadonov, Hall, Rakell, etc). We certainly have the capspace to make a big move, and it feels a little bit underwhelming to be taking such a big risk with Puljujarvi when we could easily go out and grab a more proven guy for that roster spot. So even if the trade value is right it may still not make sense for Colorado due to the opportunity cost involved.

Quite honestly, I don't think Colorado are in a place right now as a contender to need to be taking risks on reclamation projects. But Puljujarvi does still intrigue me quite a bit.

Only 2 of Edmonton's top 6 D are contracted beyond 2021, so it might be time to start thinking about how to shape the D core going forward. Zadorov is a player who can add a physical element that Edmonton lacks a bit of.

I think it would be better for the avs to trade zadorov for picks rather than project players
Zadorov's is a good player, it's just that he won't fit on the oilers given that they have so many left side dmen
The oilers should try for jost

it's not like their all UFA

You're right, they aren't all UFA's, but RFA contracts can still be crucial pivot points in deciding whether or not players are worth keeping or trading. There's also two pending UFA's in the top 4, and if they aren't resigning then Holland may want to get as much value as he can for them via trade.

2020: Manning & Green (plus Benning & Bear RFA)
2021: Larsson & Russell
2022: Nurse
2023: Klefbom

Btw, note that I'm not trying to paint a doom-and-gloom scenario for Edmonton. I think Edmonton are in a good position with their contracts on D given that it's a very flexible situation and allows them to make adjustments based around when they deem Broberg, Bouchard, and Bear are ready for bigger roles. And a situation like this allows them to make changes that include bringing in someone like Zadorov if they feel that he is a good fit long-term.

Hefty price to pay for a player that explicitly won't sign with EDM.

What do you think is a fair price? A 2nd? If so you can remove the 2nd and do Zadorov for Puljujarvi + 3rd, or just a straight swap. Maybe a 2nd + prospect.

Wouldn't include Zadorov if I were EDM. They're fairly stacked in that position with Klefbom and Nurse plus bunch of young guys coming.

Maybe Compher for Pulju+conditional 3rd that is performance relative.

Personally if I were COL I'd probably stay out of Pulju deal due to the fact that if he plays well SEA is likely to pick him but if he sucks, you'd just waste assets for the guy. Can't see many ways for you to win here.

Compher is too valuable to trade for a reclamation. We're going to be losing Nieto who's our top PKer so we need Compher to stick around at least until the Expansion Draft.

If we did acquire Puljujarvi and he does well then it simply means that we protect him instead of Donskoi, no biggie. We're going to lose someone like Compher/Donskoi/Nichuskin regardless so it wouldn't be a big change.

Nurse and Jones both just signed 2 year deals and Klefbom has 3 left on his deal. Bear is an RFA this summer (he just played his rookie season, Bouchard is expected to arrive in the fall and will have 3 years of ELC to play. Holland just drafted an LD at #8 last year who will likely arrive in 2021.

There is no reason for Edmonton to trade for another defenseman left alone another lefty.

When every single Oilers fan has commented that they aren't interested in Zadorov, maybe it's you who needs a re-think.

How about Compher for Puljujarvi+ ?

Not necessarily saying I'd want to give up Compher, but I'd like to gauge what sort of add you would put on Puljujarvi to get a good young 3C.

LOL, I see you haven't watched Edmonton recently.

Please, enlighten me....

Did you watch any of the Edm v Calgary games this year? EDM is not really concerned about being pushed around as they are set up at the moment. Nurse and Kassian provide all the protection anyone needs (while also contributing in general), and the top 4 D are all pretty big bodies. Not a big concern. In fact, what the effort has been recently is to get more finesse and skill D, thus why Bouchard and Broberg were drafted.

Edmonton's best 3 left defensemen:

Nurse: 6'4, 221
Klefbom: 6'3, 216
Jones: 6'1, 194

Lots of physicality throughout the lineup, such as Larsson, Kassian, Chiasson, Khaira, Neal and Sheahan.

I like Zadorov, I just don't see any need for him in Edmonton.

That's probably worth exploring.


I don't know enough about Compher, to be honest.

Really manning, you think he's important?
Green hasn't shown me much in resigning
Russell won't be resigned and I see the team trading larsson at the TDL given that they may not be able to resign him

My point wasn't that those players are any good. I was simply illustrating how much likely change there will be in Edmonton's D group in the next couple of years. Even #6-7 Dmen need to be replaced.