Quoting: Skyraider112
Ehlers advanced stats are as good as Taylor Hall's. You think Hall is solely worth Nurse??
If it is true that "Winnipeg would have no desire to move Ehlers at all" then the discussion is mute. However, the decision regarding trade value is often driven not only by the sum of the parts involved, but by the anticipated impact on the teams involved as well. Mr. Cheveldayoff may feel that upgrading his defensive core is the key to improving his team, and he may determine that the need is so great that a player like Ehlers is in play for the right deal.
Ehlers would likely see a massive increase in his offensive production if he was an Oiler, playing on either of Edmonton's top two lines. If playing for Winnipeg, Nurse would perform a very similar role to the one he performs as an Oiler and I'm not convinced the Jets couldn't find a better solution if Ehlers is the bait. Edmonton would have to add more, but I don't think Holland has many assets Cheveldayoff would be interested in, and that the Oilers can afford to part with.
Holland is in a difficult spot:
- Little, if any, cap space;
- Over $4M in dead space consumed by salary retention and buy-out commitments;
- A top-heavy roster of forwards;
- A $5,750,000 bottom six forward;
- An overcompensated league-average goaltender;
- No real number 1 d-man;
- A prospect pool that is unlikely to offer any help to his group of forwards;
- A NHL decision to give away his 3rd round draft pick this year or next;
- No second round pick this year or next;
- A flat salary cap; and,
- An upcoming league expansion draft.
In his season ending interview, Holland made strong allusions to the fiscal realities the league faces, and the likelihood that trades will involve exchanges of similar contract values. The situation is much different than anticipated in March 2020. I believe he is setting the stage for an off season that will disappoint many fans.