It would work, but is that team good?

I think another year under their belt and development would go a long way. Goodrow definitely helps the 4th line. Graves can help solidify the 3rd pair with Lundkvist. Call me crazy, but I see Chytil taking a top 6 center spot in the next year.

No deal from the Avs. All that means is the Avs trade Graves for a second and Gauthier likely 'replaces' one of Donskoi or Compher, whichever is lost in the XD. Downgrade all round.

I’m curious, do you prefer to lose Graves for nothing in the expansion draft to protect your forward depth or do you see a trade being made with Seattle for someone else?

If Graves goes for nothing in the XD then so be it (or Donskoi, Compher or whoever). Making a bad trade that the Avs lose on and then still having to give up a player in the XD is just bad management of assets.

You really think Drury trades for Graves after Gorton gave him away for nothing in his worst trade as GM? I agree that Graves would be nice to have but I don't see the Rangers admitting the stupid mistake they made trading him for a bag of pucks.

I’m simply looking at a reasonable way to help shore up the backend. With Graves added to the mix, that gives us three solid pairs. Each pair has a guy more offensively inclined and another who is more defensively inclined. It’s better than overpaying an aging ufa or leaving Jones and Lundkvist on the third pair to be picked apart all season long. Well at least that was my thinking creating this.

Fair enough, maybe if Graves goes we make a deal with Seattle then.

Tbh for those who are interested in Graves it's the more likely option imho. Sakic will have a price and I'm sure he will field offers but he's shown so far that he's likely to stick to his guns. It doesn't mean he isn't available, just that it has to be right. What that actually is we're purely speculating upon of course.

Definitely. I’m honestly really curious to see the direction Seattle takes during the expansion draft cause that could really disrupt quite a few teams plans.

Not saying its a bad idea, I'm just saying I highly doubt the Rangers would give up Gauthier and a 2nd round pick for a 3rd pair D that they traded away a few seasons ago for Chris Bigras (who?????). They are much more likely so sign Smith to a manageable 2 year deal or, if I had my choice, sign Oleksiak to a deal. But, knowing the Rangers, he's probably not even on their radar.

I like the idea of Oleksiak but I’m wary to give him more than 3 years at like $3.65 mil. This team needs to keep as much cap flexibility as possible for the next couple of years till the cap eventually rises again.

Agreed, but I wouldn't argue with a 4-year deal either. Got to give the guy a reason to come play in NYC.