You have a big no from the Leafs.

Why does Columbus do that?

makes more sense to sign someone in free agency rather then give up a bunch of assets for Reinhart

He's cost-controlled, relatively young, proven and hungry to win. A lot better than getting into a bidding war over a 28yo.

he's not even a point per game forward though and he's near his prime. We could probably get a player of similar skill with 9th overall, except at a cheaper price at first and a younger age.

On top of that we lose 2 potential middle 6 forwards.

He's a 60pt forward among five other 60pt forwards. $6M for 5yrs with five years left in his 20s is a good deal. Besides, I wrote the draft selection contingency into the trade. With the two 2nds we can select S. Cossa and A. Martino, and we still have Ozzy, Bordy, and Tristan in our system.

I just don't think a 60 point forward is worth a top 10 pick plus two solid forward prospects

Agree to disagree... This draft just isn't deep enough to get hung up on pick value, unless it's top-5. I'd rather secure a proven player in the middle of or approaching their prime so we can reopen our window. Karlsson's only getting older and he ain't going anywhere, same with Burns.

No matter what we do, our biggest focus should be solving the goalie issue. If we had two goalies with a GAA of 2.8 instead of 3.8 we'd be a playoff team. If during our last Playoff run Jones' SV% was .908 instead of .898 we'd be the 2019 SC champions. We don't even need elite goaltending, it just needs to be adequate!

agree to disagree ig, I just also think Danault or someone in free agency could be had for free and still get 50+ points.

Definitely agree. I think there are many good options for this in free agency as well. Korpisalo would be good but I think you underpaid here.

I hear Danault turned down 5x5 from MTL, so he may be shopping hard. And I think Reinhart has way more scoring upside upside, plus he's a RH shot.

I took the Korpi idea from a Columbus AGM, so I dunno, worked for them. Besides, it's an expansion mitigation deal; better to get something than risk losing him for free.

he definitely has more scoring upside, something we can agree on! I think Danault will realize that he can't get a lot more when he tests the free market, especially given his abysmal season so far.

Maybe it could work, but I'd think we might have to add an ok prospect or something for the Jackets to take it.

Danault is definitely one of the best defensive centers in the league, but he's just not worth the money he'd be asking if he can't add a scoring touch.

I'd be down to offer something extra to get Korpi. Dude's a straight baller, and I have a strong feeling DW won't be allowed to buy out Jones, so we'll need a true starter to replace him. Hopefully Jones' game comes back if he reverts to a backup and only has to play 25 games/years. Right now he's posting a 2.20 and a .923 over his last five games. Keep him limited and I think we can regain value.

Interesting offer, this could be considered if Sam doesn't want to stay in Buffalo.