I don't watch Florida (no one really does) but going based off basic stats I don't think Ekblad is any better than Pionk. They almost have identical points, +/-, PIMS, etc. So using my wonderful logic, you are saying Laine for a 3rd line winger, a center who had 23 points in the AHL and a 2nd? I think the Jets could maybe get more? Now this only makes sense if my very quick estimation on Ekblad is accurate.

Instead of using all those picks for Cirelli, why not acquire it in a trade or something with Laine?

More like Laine for Ekblad and the rest of the pieces for Pionk

Just because of the age gap, I think you need to add for Ekblad but the uncertainty of the contract balances that out. So yea despite me thinking Ekblad isn't actually that great, in the eyes of hockey people I see this kind of deal happening. It's a good mock trade. I wouldn't do it if I was Winnipeg but it makes a lot sense in the scheme of things with this defence first fascination we are seeing right now after the Stars success and the Bolts changing their structure.

They'll be a bunch of trades coming soon before free agency clears things as the Gms are completely lost right now trying to move money when theres only so much available.