Joined: Feb. 2017
Posts: 504
Likes: 191
Hmm, you're making me think here, I like it.
Strictly looking at value, I think this leans in Arizona's favor. Montour can probably get a late 1st at the deadline, and I don't think Raanta is worth the same. So I'd be looking for a small add from the Yotes.
The roster fit isn't perfect, they do have a lot of defenseman. So like others have said, it might have to be a precursor to moving a different defenseman.
I'm going back and forth on this from Buffalo's standpoint. Raanta would be a massive add, but Montour has become a key part of our defense. He's the only righty we have that's really proven capable on the left side. I think I'd need a cheap decent third pairing lefty added in to pull the trigger.
Funny enough, Hajek is the type of guy I'd want thrown into the first trade. And trading Asplund for him I'd another one that I keep going back and forth on. Hajek definitely has a higher ceiling, and he's burned brighter, but his development seems to be falling off whereas Asplund is very slowly but steadily improving. I think I'd pass from the Sabres' perspective because Jacob Bryson fills a similar role in the prospect pool to what Hajek brings, and we really don't have an equivalent prospect to Asplund.