A good way to evaluate trades is to look at past trades. The one I'm looking at is the Phil Kessel trade to the leafs in 2009, which the Bruins got 2 firsts and a second in exchange for Kessel. The Leafs, being the leafs, were so bad in 2010 and 2011 that the firsts turned into Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton, which adds more value to the picks, hence the Bruins giving DeBrusk, Studnicka, and the extra picks to the Hawks.

Apparently Kubalik is McDavid and Reaves is a middle 6 forward.

The difference between DeBrusk, and Kubalik is not Studnika, a 3rd, a 5th, and potential two 1sts. You are giving way too much!

Kubalik is a 30 goal scorer who has a cheap contract and is 25 years old.

you cant use hindsight in evaluating the value of trades

I mean, DeBrusk scored 27 goals two years ago and is younger. I don't really think the difference between DeBrusk and Kubalik is a 1st + 2nd + 3rd + 5th + Studnicka. Kubalik probably has more value than DeBrusk right now, but it's not as big of a difference as you make it seem.

I know Kubalik is good and Chicago won't part with him easily but the value seems too high in my opinion. The Bruins have a good chance of making the 2nd round so that could turn into two 1st round picks, a top 6 prospect who's already NHL ready, and a proven 2nd liner, plus other picks, for Kubalik. Kubalik is great but he's only been in the NHL for one year and he's not necessarily a consistent 30 goal scorer just because he was last year.

Yikes. Really puts the bad in big bad bruins.

Ok so that trade is crazy

Well, yeah. But I think the Bruins thought there was a solid chance that the Leafs picks were going to be at least in the top 10 when they made the deal.

Hows this- The 2nd becomes a 1st if the Bruins win the cup. Then giving up 2 firsts is the best case scenario.

yeah i think a lot of people did, but thats like saying erik karlsson is worth stutzle and norris and whatever else the sharks gave up (i dont remeber i think like balcers and another pick or something) because thats what he ended up getting moved for. At the time of the deal people thought it was an underpay (at least from what i remember) but nobody in their right mind would make that trade today

like nobody would say kessel is worth seguin and hamilton, they'd say that the bruins fleeced the leafs (which they did imo they just f'ed up in the end)

Why wouldn't they? The Bruins won't be in the basement this season. That's sort of the point. They have to give up more because the picks will be middle to late first rounders.

The updated trade looks more realistic to me. The Bruins get to keep Studnicka and as you said, giving up two 1sts would be a great problem to have if it means you just won the cup.

middle to late first rounders still produce good NHL players consistently which are valuable pieces in the NHL

Chicago agrees.
The picks are late round, at least this year, we'll see next.
Studnicka is over valued by boston fans who have in their mind he's a replacement 1C. He's not.
I think there is a jump in quality here. Going from a guy who is looking like a consistent 20 something goal guy to a guy who's probably a mid 30s goal guy on a great contract for 2 years.

Reaves ...why bother he can't skate. Bringing in someone just to fight isn't gong to win you games.

for a slight upgrade on debrusk its not going to take potentially 2 firsts+ debrusk. its just not. especially with debrusk being the younger player and having a reasonable cap hit during the flat cap period. you are way way way too high in value with giving up both debrusk and literally any future draft capital for an already weak farm system.

Kessel is a bad comparable. He racked up 36 goals at what 20 or 21 years old. On top of it, he's Phil Kessel, everyone loves Phil. He's great.

Just to further evaluate the value, let's think what would have happened if the Bruins had done this last year. The 2nd wouldn't have become a first, because they choked in the playoffs. Their 2nd round pick was Mason Lohrei, and their third was Trevor Kuntar. Lets say this year's 1st is #25 overall, which based on Sportsnet's rankings would be Mason McTavish. So if you were the Bruins, would you trade DeBrusk, Kuhlman, Lohrei, Kuntar, and McTavish for Kubalik?

thats too much, kubalik had 1 year of production in the nhl as a rookie, dont get me wrong he looked great but... what happens if debrusk outscores kubalik this year or next year? now youve sent a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and kuhlman plus a similar player for a pretty lateral move.

So you’re saying in order for this to be fair to Chicago Boston has to suck and the picks need to be near the beginning of the draft.

this trade is awful for boston

hawks obviously accept as this is a bit of an overpay for Kabulik