With this trade, the Bruins no have the worst depth at LW and RW in the league. Plus, ANA is a cap team, and definitely wouldn't be able to give Marchand more than we could.

Also, whatever Marchand does at the World Cup will have zero influence on his next contract.

Is Lindholm really worth 7m a year? I don't know why Armchair GMs are so worried if a UFA leaves their team. With that money, just spend it wisely and another player(s). Often good UFAs (and now RFAs) are overpaid, there is probably better value elsewhere. If this deal went through as proposed the Bruins would have 34m on 5 players long term. Often this will not bring long term success., unless there is a stellar supporting cast playing above their salary.

Are people getting these Yakupov trade ideas from Eklund? FYI, he's not a credible hockey source.

The Ducks don't make that trade.

I'm not sure the fascination with Yakupov. He's inserted into almost every Bruins ACGM for some reason, and he's terrible. Bust at it's finest.

I think the basic logic is to give McQuaid + an AHL player to Chia because he signed McQuaid. Yakupov is just the turd that fits into the puzzle to make it complete.