McQuaid is essentially a throw in so you really think Nashville will give up Ellis to swap a 5th and 6th for a 2nd and 3rd? Not likely...

Boy, I'm pulling for Mueller to make it. If not with the Bs, hopefully he has made enough of an impression for another NHL team. Kudos to Sweeney for creating a nice cap space cushion, as well, although that can be a good or a bad thing.

What if you took out NSH picks, ate a little of McQuaid's $ and added one of Boston's top D prospects, i.e. McAvoy, Zboril, Carlo? Would they at least listen?

Why would you give up a top prospect for Ellis? Waste of a trade there. If you're moving any one of those three, a better defenseman than Ryan Ellis better be coming back.

Yes, they would definitely listen to that. The ideal situation for them would be to move one of their dmen (Ekholm or Ellis) for a expansion draft-protected asset such as one of those 3.

As for why that would be appealing to Boston, any or all of those prospects could be up to 3 years away from being ready to handle regular NHL minutes, and even then they are all unproven commodities. Sure, the value could be there if they wait and develop all 3 but if they want to be a decent playoff contender any time soon then they need immediate help on that blue line, and Ellis adds more skill back there. I will say, however, that I wouldn't pair him with Krug. They are too similar and would be better used spread out across the top 4.