Ekholm alone returns at least the 1st with no playoff conditions

I'm not really sure how to breakdown this trade lol.

Ekholm = Zboril + 2nd + Kase
Granlund = Ritchie + Moore + 3rd

I'm just not sure why there are so many pieces involved here. I don't think Boston would have much interest in Granlund, nor are they looking to move Ritchie. Honestly if NSH were to target a d-man from Boston in an Ekholm deal, it's probably Vaak because he NHL ready and expansion draft exempt

As a Preds fan, I'm not sure why they'd want to do this. No 1st, no prospects, just a bunch of middle of the lineup guys. And two of them are arbitration eligible RFAs.

*Just as an FYI, conditional picks based on a player re-signing aren't allowed anymore. Just performance related conditions now.

why would krecji be first line???

Did not know that could no longer be a condition, thanks for the info. Seems as though you are suggesting Preds could get additional value I'll make some changes and see what you think.

You're right, I thought Zboril was still on his ELC so the swap to Vaak makes sense as the Preds won't need to protect him from Seattle and will want to protect Josi, Ellis, and Fabbro.

I think Boston has to give up a 3rd just to rid themselves of the Moore contract, mind you it's likely to be a late 3rd. 2.75M for another 2.5 years for a guy that at this point barely cracks an NHL lineup and is likely a 7D isn't something a lot of teams are going to want to do.

Granlund fetched the 2014 #11 overall pick in Fiala just 2 years ago. I think the Preds will be looking for at least a 2nd and a prospect for him.

Bruins reject all 3...
John Moore isnt a capo dump (as he keeps proving), but if you WANT to dump him, its a 6th tops
The Ekholm trade is close in value, but bruins have said they are not moving away from their young dmen yet.
That bottom one is just bad on value and pieces.

few things to unwrap here:

Why does Boston have to rid themselves of Moore? His cap hit isn't cripple the team and if they really wanted they could send him through waivers to the Taxi squad and save around $1 million a year. His lack of cracking the line-up could be due to Boston being pretty deep on the LD. For years it was Chara, Krug and Grz. Now this year they have Lauzon, Grz, Zboril, Vaak & Moore all trying to get playing time at LD.

As for Granlund, what he fetched 2 years ago is irrelevant. The guy was still a UFA roughly 2 weeks before training camp opened, so teams weren't banging down he door to sign him. A 2nd a prospects could be fair value, but that's not really how the trade breaks out here with Boston. Lets say the 3rd is to take Moore. That leaves Ritchie for Granlund. Ritchie is younger, cheaper (for now) and currently have a career year. Why does Boston trade Ritchie for Granlund?

Boston doesn't have to rid themselves of Moore, but it's certainly not a great contract for a guy struggling to break into the lineup and Boston seems to be up against the cap, so I figured some relief to fit in other pieces at the deadline may be attractive.

Granlund's situation was a bit more complicated than nobody wanted him. He was in Europe and had issues getting back to north america due to visa status as a result of COVID. Also, we all know that it was a weird year for free agency, lots of guys took short deals, lower money, and signed late.

Also, I changed the trades to break them out a bit and changed some pieces.

Yes the 3rd is for Moore, Boston is poised to make a cup run so picks this year should be very late in the round. May still be an overpayment as you have suggested given Boston isn't desperate for cap space so it should probably be a later round pick if at all.

I'm using the Muzzin trade (Toronto traded a 1st, Grudstrum, and Durzi) as a comparable for Ekholm. My thought was 1st, Ritchie, and Vaak but I realize they are higher value than Grundstum and Durzi so I've added a 4th rounder coming back to Boston, but could also see Moore here if the Bruins want to try to save cap space.

Grunlund I change as well to late first round prospect of Beecher and a 2nd (conditional 1st if Boston makes conference finals). Again might be too much, maybe drop the pick a round or two?

Thanks for your feedback.

Boston has the 7th most cap space in the NHL



His visa had nothing to do with him being a UFA with about 10 days till camp opened. There were a lot of other European players that didn't seem to have an issue



Don't see what poised to make a cup run has to do with this. Boston was just in the SCF a few years ago and won the Presidents trophy last year, clearly John Moore isn't hindering the team.



Why does Boston trade Ritchie whose having a career year and filling a void on the 1PP that the team has needed for year?



Again don't see Boston having interest in Granlund and don't see a fit there.