I like Gibson, but he didnt have the greatest year last year, and I don't think it makes too much sense for Anaheim to trade him off a down year, especially because he is only 26 and could realistically still be the starter there when Zegras and whoever they draft this year are ready to compete again

This trade could entirely depend on how they see their immediate future, how much the like Askarov as a prospect, and if they think a hard rebuild is the best option for the team.

If their goal is to get a high draft pick and continue the rebuild, I could see this as a good way to further that goal.

I don't think one year of Saad, whose compensation in his last year is higher than his cap hit, fits in well with either Anaheim's financial or on-ice plans, so I wouldn't trade Saad and Regula for Rakell even up. And we're not trading Gibson, period.

No thanks.

Gibson's stats were actually pretty pedestrian last year, .904 and 3.00 arent great and his advanced analytics were below average too. Not saying he is bad, but his value isnt what it wouldve been last offseason for sure, which is why I think trading him this year doesnt make sense. And Saad for Rakell might be debatable, but Saad is the better goal scorer and defensive forward, so with the ability to flip Saad again at the deadline, Rakell for Saad and Regula is more than fair to even out the 1 extra year of control.

For the record, I think Rakell is every bit as defense-qualified as Saad.

I mean its close and he's by no means shabby, but Saad is a little better, with slightly better goals for/against at even strength along with a slightly better corsi.

I love this from a hawks perspective but i doubt ANA accepts that

Anaheim isn't taking that, both Gibson and Rakell are entering their primes and ANA has seen great results in the past from both of them. I don't think this trade does it for them.