Don't see that getting 3+5 from Ottawa but could see it getting 3 or 5 and their later 1st

You don't package a negative value player for the first overall pick. It will take away the insane value you would get if you trade 1 OA. Honestly though why would the Oilers think about passing up on a franchise winger like Laf? It's not exactly like they are insanely deep on the wings

neal and number 1 overall for number five, NYI first, abramov

they are facing cap troubles right now and by getting rid of neal they will be able to deal with the flat cap

I get it. I just think that There are better ways than passing up on a franchise winger just because you want to get rid of a bad contract.

I don't think I'd do it if I'd have to take on a bad deal on top of the huge cost in assets. Ottawa is in a really strong position drafting 3rd and 5th, and if trading up costs as much as some have suggested, I think Sens would be hurting themselves more than helping.

Look at Neal's buyout then tell me it wouldn't be worth it for Lafreniere

I don't see the "cap troubles right now." They have $71 million in 17 players including Nygard. Assume that they give Athanasiou $5 million and Bear $4 million and they have $1 million (one player) left. Three more entry-level players = Russell minus his replacement. That's not an insurmountable problem, and certainly better than Tampa's position.

Anaheim won't take Neal because his term isn't one year. (I know you're just using the Ducks as a placeholder, but I thought I'd add that comment.)

If we trade 1OA then the only trade partners in my opinion are the Sens or the Kings or we draft Lafreniere. No way that we should even consider falling out of the top 3.

But it wouldn't be Neal's contract. It's probably that plus a top 5 pick, plus another 1st, plus a roster player like Duclair, plus more picks and a prospect.

The ask would likely be huge, and even if the ask isn't 3+5. Lafreniere is a Star winger, possibly even a franchise altering Winger, but I look at him then at the quality of wingers like Raymond or Perfetti and I just don't see this earth shattering gap between them where the Sens should be betting the farm to make that swap

I could see neal and 1st overall for jerseys two higher firsts 7,10 I think they are. I know it wouldn’t be popular for fans that want to see laf with mcdavid but that’s definitely something I’d strongly look at. Yes he would be amazing but very much not really needed but what is needed is a goalie of the future that could be snagged at 7 and a pure goal scorer at 10 in jack Quinn better than overage charges from lafs bonuses certainly will hit creating an even tighter budget while several key players need extensions.

I agree Oilers can just buyout Neal and replace him with Laf. Worst case scenario you pay the same cap hit after ELC bonuses but you now have a 19 yo Elite LW to play with McD.

I'd want more then 7 and 10 for first even with moving Neal.. Moving Neal isn't even that important TBH his buyout is pretty easy to absorb. Rather buyout Neal, get, 7, 10 and Bratt/Zacha

Il post a team I wasn’t done touching up but has this situation in it let me know what you think.

That would be probably the dumbest thing ever to trade the 1st pick just to get rid of Neal.. with laf edm might have the best top 6 in the league

Rakell for you

Yikes. Thats not a smart idea at all. You would trade away a franchise forward, who would have 3 years on an ELC, to get rid of a guy who is maybe overpaid by $1-2 million with only 3 years left on his deal? Lets not forget that McDavid and him workout in the summers together and are pretty good pals. Neal is still a serviceable 2nd unit pp guy. Play him 3rd line and bump him into the top 6 when injuries hit.

Having Lafreniere on his ELC would make him one of, if not the most valuable stand alone player in the league in terms of value.

If Neal has a bad year, absolute worst case is you buy him out. His buyout penalty isn't even that bad.

If you trade AL with Neal, that saves you like $7M before bonuses. You are now missing a 1 line winger and a 3rd line winger that you need to replace them. You're lucky if you can get 2 players that would produce the same amount for under $7M. So even from a strictly cap perspective, this doesn't make sense at all.