If you see him as a 25th-40th goalie in the league with some growth potential then I think that is a fair offer. The problem is that I think that CBJ sees him as higher end and higher value. I do not think that they will be trading him, you might be able too pry him away but it probably takes a massive overpay.

i mean it's the cost of 2 2nds for an expiring goaltender - columbus is also trying to retool no? hallander is a great 3C in the future, and that 2nd could hit big because 2023 is deeeep.
friedman also mentioned that columbus would likely be forced to trade him (not entirely sure why but I jumped on that) and they would probably get lowballed. so i went with that. back in 2020, dubas gave up 2 3rds for campbell. a more proven goalie yet still one who hasn't played a ton, merzlikins for 2 2nds feels right. keep in mind that campbell also came with an extension.

Hallander is still a prospect so there is no way you can know he will be a great 3C. You cannot guarantee he will ever play in the NHL. You also called him a c-level prospect which to me does not hold the value aid a 2nd and definitely does not project to be a great 3C.

As for Campbell at the time of the trade he had played 1 less game than Merzlikins has now and was a backup so I would not say he was more proven.

I am not saying that Merzlikins is better than a tandem goalie or more valuable than 2 2nds but I think CBJ believes he is. I don’t see any reason why they would need to trade him, especially not in the offseason. If they are not having any luck with contract negotiations and the team is not doing well again next year then they will likely move before the deadline. If they trade him at the deadline I do not think they get 2 2nds worth but that doesn’t mean they should trade him.

I think CBJ is built well they just need a coach who is not cancer in the room.

i think i was talking about hollowell when i mentioned a c-level, hallander is a b-level prospect.
also i meant merzly is more proven than campbell, hence the larger price.
what do you think is most reasonable for merzly (with the retention) such that it's not a massive overpay, where columbus would also be okay with the cost?

Lets use Grubauer as a comparison. When he was traded to COL Wash got a 2nd but also sent Orpik for his 5.5mil to be bought out. We later saw Marleau get sent with a !st for his 6.25mil to be bought out. So lets say the trade for Grubauer was a 1st and a 2nd. I think that the rfa status and age of Grubauer were more valuable than the 1 year then ufa of Merzlikins. Then the retension, TOR paid a 4th for SJ to retain roughly the same $ amount for a quater of a season on Foligno. So lets say the entire year retension has the same value as the age and rfa status of Grubauer.

I would say that CBJ would want something like a 1st and 2nd. I do not think that he is worth that and do not think that TOR should pay that much which is why I do not think that the deal works out between the teams.

Now if CBJ does not think that they can resign him then things change.