Rangers aren't doing cap dumps with 1sts.

With Staal it’s possible. Rangers are really starting to get good, and getting rid of Staal gives them more to work with (they can keep Strome with that). With the looks at the rangers, that pick is also going to be low considering the players they can add in Lafreniere, a whole year if shesterkin, etc. I don’t think it’s that bad

We suck? He's expiring. I'd rather keep our roster intact and wait a year before shipping assets for dumps.

Rangers aren’t going to be bad though lol. They have tons of talent. Lafreniere being added, Kakko and Shesterkin both improving, moving Staal or Smith Seems like a great option for a team that’s trying to go in soon. Trust me, rangers aren’t going to suck this year. They were already close to playoffs this year, they’ll only get better.

Regardless, since this is such a minor trade, what is your take on the rest?

Nice post, lots of thought put in. I like all of the trades, though the Devils might have learned their lesson from Subban. But who knows, having Hughes and Hishier in front of:

OEL-Severson
Butcher-Subban

Could be really good. Ty Smith could be next year’s Quinn Hughes too

You’ll never get a second round pick for Raanta or his bloated contract. If Buffalo is going to take on that money they offer a fifth. Arizona takes it because they need the money more than they need the asset.

Thank you for the positive feedback. The Oel trade was the hardest for me. I toyed with Jersey, Montreal and LA, but settled on NJ because they’re close to finishing a rebuild and could really use another top 4 dman with experience. The difference is Oel actually looked great in the playoffs and may just need a change of scenery

Lightning accept, Sabres are overpaying by 2 rounds, Don't see NJ buying but turning Hall into Ekman-Larsson is *chef's kiss*,Teams around the league will beat that Hjalmarsson offer. He's loved around the league. Jets might do it if retention was added or Lowry or Perreault were sent out.

Rangers aren't winning with this defense. People told me they were gonna kill CAR and I told them look at the defense. Unless we miraculously add Vince Dunn, Hampus Lindholm, or Jonas Brodin we aren't gonna to be very competitive.

If your offering that cheap Toronto would be heavily interested in Hjalmarsson,

Raanta 1 year at 4.25 is bloated? Raanta is better than either goalie and buffalo has the cap to do it. I don’t think the pick is really that far off considering the goalie you’re getting

As far as New York goes, I really would see them going for Edmundson in this situation, running with a possible
Deangelo-Fox
Edmundson-Trouba
Lindgren-Smith (considering moving Staal adds cap space)

Yeah I thought of Toronto but obviously they want younger guys with term.

Usually older players sign cheap extensions under there contracts the following year. Cause lets face it if Hjalmarsson decides to stay in the NHL no ones gonna pay him 5mill

So hypothetically Dubas could get him 2 years 2.5-3mill range.

In general though he would be a very good cost effective option for Rielly.

Edmundson is pretty bad and there are teams that will easily outbid us for him.

The thing is they don’t care. You need the money more than they need the goalie. Raanta can’t stay healthy anyway. Think of this as a shotgun negotiation, and they’re the ones holding it. You take what they are willing to give because nobody else will take on your money.

Until he’s injured lol. Mans made of glass

I mean he was pretty good in the playoffs, so it’s not awful

the other guy leafs could look into is Demers. Not a bad dman and could also be a fit.

Raanta was healthy almost all season lol

And is also made of glass lol. I’m trying to spare us leafs fans the pain of glass men

Almost all season? It was a shortened season. You can’t try to tell me a guy who isn’t available to play 40 games is worth more than a fourth or fifth round pick in this situation. It’s a buy low situation for Buffalo, goaltender you don’t need who makes too much money to a team who could use him but isn’t paying what you want.

Almost yes. He missed like 2 games due to injury, but was outstanding while Kuemper was out.

Kuemper is clearly the guy. Losing the job doesn’t help Raanta’s trade value. Bad contract with recent injury history and age doesn’t add up to much return. Not to mention they have to find a taker for Hutton then. Buffalo probably needs 2 years of capable fill ins before UPL is ready, Raanta only provides one. Hutton does the same for half the money.

But Raanta provides you better goaltending and a cheap resign. Unlikely he takes more than what he has now. Also he only lost the job really after his injury ciz kuemoer went off.

Regardless, what are your views for the rest of this?

A lot is realistically wishful thinking. Huge trades don’t usually happen, and one team doesn’t make so many trades in one off season. This off season most trades will be money in money out, nothing huge. Too few teams have money they’re willing to spend, even Buffalo may not be willing to spend despite how much space they have.