...
This ain't it, chief
Lafreniere is great and all, but he is nowhere near Barkov's level. We need picks, more prospects, and a halfway decent center to convince us to give up Barkov

Barkov isn't waiving for the Rangers, And oh FYI Barkov is getting a hell of a lot more then $9.5 million for 8 years he'll get at least $10.5 million to $11 million per for 7 or 8 years.

Teams could've gotten deangelo for free, they aren't gonna give you someone whos's contract expires this year for someone that no one claimed for free

Barkov > Laffy and some scrubs.

I could certainly see Colorado being interested in Morgan Barron, seeing as the Avs have drafted his best friend Matthew Stienburg as well as his brother Justin Barron. Avs seem to have a little thing going on with players from that region, along with Newhook, Mackinnon, and Bowers.

That said, I think Colorado would rather get one good piece back for Graves, like a high 2nd, or 2nd + 3rd, rather than diluting the return by having so many pieces. Rykov also isn't really of much interest as he's not waiver exempt anymore and isn't really NHL caliber. How about NYR 2021 2nd + Barron + 4th for Graves?

The Panthers aren't doing the trade this season....they want Barkov now. In the summer, if they feel they can't resign him, it might be different. And even at that....most signed extensions to other teams don't happen.

If the panthers know they can’t extend barkov, this will be the highest potential asset they get. I think they would want a pick too, but this is a good offer in that scenario.

Theoretically I would accept that trade, but the Rangers don’t have a 2021 2nd. (Marc Staal)

There's a salary cap. That's why they'll most likely be a team that's in need of offense that will give Deangelo a chance come the trade deadline. Especially because if it doesn't work out he could be cheaply bought out - even more so if the Rangers retain salary.

That’s the point of it. Most teams couldn’t afford to take him on. You take back a salary of a pending ufa that a team probably won’t resign anyway and get a player who’s an rfa that becomes an asset

The way the salary cap is set up, teams have much more cap space at the Trade Deadline. So your point is not an issue. There will be teams in need of offense and an improved power play come the TDL and the Rangers will not take a bad contract back in return. Rangers will only retain a percent of Deangelo's contract if a significant asset is being traded for him.

2022 NYR 2nd + Barron + 3rd then?

True, but if the rangers buy him out then the coyotes could sign him for a cheaper deal with little risk

The point was valid for claiming him. The options may increase at the deadline when cap spaces are larger. They could take back a ufa deal to help with an even cap swap if teams want to make other moves. Ideally they’d get a pick or prospect back with the expiring player. They’re better off buying out in the summer then retaining money unless the return is worth it

Deangelo then could sign with any team, not just the Yotes. And considering the Yotes already traded Deangelo, there's little chance he signs there over other teams. Unless of course Ariz is the only team making him an offer.