Ellis would get way more then that in a trade

are you serious?

If you choose to trade Ellis over Ekholm, then getting a LHD like Sandin back doesn't make much sense when NSH has Davies and Farrance at LHD who should be in the NHL either next or the following season. NSH's LHD is deeper than their RHD depth (not saying much, but still). And Ekholm will only have the great contract for two seasons and then will need a more expensive and long-term contract at the age of 32. I also believe that Ekholm's style of play will slow him down faster than Ellis. If I have to pick one or the other, I'm picking Ellis all day. Josi - Ellis is one of the best d pairings in the NHL, and I'd want to preserve that.

NSH getting hosed badly on all three trades.

Craig Smith taking that large of a pay cut doesn't seem realistic either.

No Sandin is a real good prospect but Ellis was a top 10 defence man this past season. On a more realistic note it would have to be a 2021 first rounder at least and then I could see it maybe, just given age and such. Don't get the wrong idea though, Ellis was elite this year

What would you be willing to do around an Ellis for Marner base?

yes.

Unless you're expecting an unretained Bonino to fetch more than a 3rd round pick and a B-prospect, the Edmonton trade is bang-on.

I'd expect a little more than a 3rd and a B prospect for Bonino, at the start of the season. At the deadline, he's the kind of playoff vet teams overpay for. Something along the lines of a conditional 1st and good prospect. I'd rather the Preds keep him for the 20-21 season, and look to move one of the other centers instead. Then make a decision on Bonino, based on NSH's playoff potential, at next season's deadline.

A #6-7 dman and a 6th isn't close to good value for Bonino. You can get Austin Watson for that return though.

Buffalo accepted

oilers take that

The Preds dont have 7 forwards to protect. Forsberg, Johansen, Duchene, and maybe Arvidsson. Bonino/Smith/Granlund could all be without contracts.

The easy pick for Seattle is a goalie. Preds will protect Saros leaving Connor Ingram available. Ingram is a young top tier goalie prospect who may be NHL ready by the expansion draft.

Maybe Arvidsson? You'd leave Arvi unprotected?

He excels when scoring high danger (typically rebound) goals, and has good speed but he isn't a strong puck handler nor does he have an elite shot.
Relatively cheap contract for a 30 goal scorer however I would rather keep the fourth defensemen and a potential FA signing as the fourth FWD in draft.

I think that's poor asset management. Trade him before the expansion draft, if anything. Personally, I'd prefer to trade Ekholm over Arvi, and protect more of the forwards. Forsberg, Arvidsson, Johansen, Duchene, and whoever else gets signed or traded for, in the offseason.

Yeah they would have to trade Arvy rather than leave him exposed.

I think they should keep Ekholm over any of the middle6 forwards they have now

Ekholm will only have a year left on his contract after the draft, but could still command a very nice return. The D core is getting a little old. Re-signing Ekholm to a new contract locks NSH into three highly paid, over 30 players for too long. Break them up a bit while you can still get some value back, and hopefully Davies and/or Farrance are ready by then.