Quoting: Eli
Chara's in there, too, if you keep reading. And he's having a pretty good year. You can add to either side, or change what you want, but when this board just has people saying, "no. bad. wrong," all the time, we don't make anything happen, and it isn't as fun. Can you tell me what you think a rental of last year's Richard trophy winner should cost, or what five years of a #1C who's off to a slow start is worth? Or what Chara at league minimum is worth? Ladue, I know, isn't much. But I think Ovechkin is worth an A+ prospect, which Lafreniere might or might not still be, and then retaining half on his contract is worth another late 1st, which is where Schneider comes in. Five years of Kuznetsov is only worth a prospect and a late 1st, this week, because he had a slow start to this year. Then I have the Caps just throwing in Chara, and taking two bad contracts for free. Or do you still give Deangelo positive trade value after he physically attacked a teammate, following a game where he was individually -5?
Ovechkin's value to WSH is more than anything any team would be willing to give for the guy. WSH wants at least an A+ prospect, but no team is willing to give this much for a 36 year old pending UFA winger who's numbers have declined from what they were year ago. I don't think there's any reasonable comparable to this, but maybe the Martin St. Louis trade from Tampa to Rangers, but with a bit less coming from NYR since it's only a one year matter. It's the only recent enough example of a top level player being traded at such age. In this case, maybe Ovie for Kreider+Schneider+2022+1st.
Kuznetsov is the most valuable piece from WSH here imo due to term, position and contract. But I wouldn't move Laffy for the guy. Maybe Strome+Robertson+1st+2nd.
Chara's 43 year old bottom pair D with a full NMC. He won't be moving, and even if he did, he'd probably net a 3rd like any depth D.
But as said in the first place, NYR is not in position to make such exchange. And neither is WSH. So I don't really get the point in these teams moving assets.
And yes, if I'm WSH I'd absolutely decline a Kuzy+Ovie for Kreider+Strome+Schneider+Robertson+1st+1st+2nd exchange, but that's around apt value if you ask me.
Deangelo and Smith suck, but NYR wouldn't involve them in the trade anyhow. Deangelo will be bought out at summer and Smith is walking, probably both of them taking the next step of their careers in KHL.