elite D corps. Still missing 1 top 6F

So I think your general AGM headline prediction is right. If it in fact is true that Taylor Hall wants to stay in Canada, Calgary seems like the relatively safe bet unless a couple of Canadian teams are willing to make a couple major trades to clear up cap space. I don't see him going to Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto or Edmonton. I could see a possible scenario with Winnipeg, but they have a major issue on the D and I think they will go big for Pietrangelo. So, that leaves Calgary and Montreal. I'd say Montreal, but it seems they have a real hard time landing quality UFAs. So that leaves Calgary. Taylor Hall in Calgary seems like a potentially good situation to help change, or at least add positivity, to this team's culture. As for Johnny Gaudreau, call me crazy, but I see him ending up with Pittsburgh this offseason. I think it will take a third team 3-way type situation to get a deal done, but Pittsburgh has to move a goalie. They are also in win-now mode, so I can full see them having no issue parting with their 2021 1st round draft pick, and potentially other draft picks as well. I think Gaudreau in Pittsburgh is a good fit, it's just a question of working out a fair deal.

I think Calgary says no to both trades.
Johnson would not go to Calgary either.

He has bought in Tamap system wants to win there.

Mangiapane looks to be on pace as a 25-30G scorer on that Backlund/Tkachuk line. That’s Top 6 forward production, especially if he could get to the 60 point level in the next 2 years.

He’s on the 3rd line in the above roster. So I’d argue that this roster has a very solid Top 6, just would do the lines different.

I was more so looking for a 2C to push Backlund down

Backlund is a very capable 2C with Tkachuk on his wing. That line was really looking great before the break. More likely than not, the second line is going to get most of the tough matchups. And I like Backlund in that role.

Hall - Monahan - Lindholm
Mangiapane - Backlund - Tkachuk
Dube - Johnson - [insert bigger body guy]
Lucic - Ryan - [insert hottest 4th liner available]

I want Gaudreau in Edmonton. What's the Oilers equivalent of that CAR trade?

The Oilers would have to pay triple that asking price....at the very least, Treliving would get drawn and quartered for sending Johnny to Edmonton to play with McDavid.

Triple... kinda like how they paid triple for James Neal?

Didn't Neal have like 2 goals in the last 40 games he played or something like that? After McDavid got tired of bouncing them in off his arse...

You got a boat anchor for a boat anchor in that trade, Johnny is not a comparable.

Gaudreau isn't a boat anchor, i never said that. The Neal-Lucic trade is proof that the two GM's can make a fair deal with each other like adults, though, so I'm asking what a fair deal for Gaudreau looks like from the Oilers.

BTW, Neal played the last couple of months on a broken toe, FWIW.

No from CAR. If Dougie leaves, Pesce is the only RD we have under contract. Not worth it in the slightest, especially asking for a RH forward (Something Carolina severely lack) and an additional pick. No thanks

I didn't think you were calling Gaudreau a boat anchor, I was just saying trading Johnny to Edmonton would be a much different animal than trading a bad contract for a bad contract like in the Neal/Lucic situation. It would be much, much more risky and I really don't think it would ever happen.

I just don't think CAR would move Pesce for Gaudreau. Would be awesome if they did though.

Who names their kid Geekie???

Ok that makes sense, sorry I misunderstood. I just think that if Calgary is serious about moving him they should take the offer that benefits them the most, even if it comes from Edmonton.