I like the idea behind the trade, but I think both teams are better off just buying the players out. Gardiner might also end up on LTIR which would save even more money.
I dont think Seattle take Skjei without being compensated.
As a Penguins fan, I accept that trade. I think CAR would have to pay a bit extra because of the inter-division. I also dont know if CAR really needs him.

Vegas’ wingers and scoring power is greater than ours.

Skjei is the best defenseman available for Seattle to select outright league-wide. I'm pretty sure the Wild will get one of their NMCs waived so that Dumba is protected.

And how much of the gap can be made up by the fact that Svech is only 21, Necas is only 22, and Aho will only be 24? There's a lot of room to improve just from those three alone.

Giordano, Dunn, Graves, among others, are decent options. I just know that Seattle said they will not be taking on big contracts without being compensated.

This is the best offer I've seen for pettersson on this site. Finally someone realizes the worth of pettersson. Thank you

If the big contracts are not market-value or worth it, sure. Skjei isn't one of those cases.

He is definitely good, but not necessarily worth 5.25M. There is a reason you are okay with parting ways with him. I think that Seattle looks at Fast instead.

There's rumors that the Canes are having a hard time deciding whether they're going to protect Skjei or Bean. IMO it depends on whether they have an agreement with Dougie or not. I have other scenarios out there where Skjei is protected and Bean is selected.

My belief is that they leave Dougie unsigned, but have a verbal agreement with him to sign after the expansion draft. I would then protect Pesce, Slavin and Bean. Thats my opinion.

Yes, me too. I'm simply stating that Seattle is probably open to taking a large contract if said player is actually worth the money that he's making. Skjei would be one of those examples. A good way to look at it is this: which player is more likely to return you a high draft pick in the trade market if your team goes south? Fast, Geekie, Lorentz, or Skjei? I think the answer's pretty obvious.

In a flat cap world though, things are so different.

That is true. That's what's nice about the bad contract swap that I posted, however. If Seattle decides on Fast, the Canes can keep Geekie and Skjei, not deal for Pettersson, replace Fast with a reclamation project, and still have room under the cap for Dougie/Svech/Ned/Mrazek/Foegele/Martinook. The Canes are not desperate to clear space at all.

They have to take big contracts at SOME point. They still need to reach the cap floor. Skjei is also just flat out the best option exposed by Carolina.

They will have to take some though to get to the cap floor. If I had to choose, Skjei is at least a pretty decent option. I’d choose him over Gio as a top 4 LHD

Pens accept. That’s a solid offer for both teams imo if Skjei is taken by Seattle. They get a competent replacement that is actually cheaper I believe. And pens get the cap space, pick and a decent young player.

TB is not as reamed as people may think if you watched Victor Hedman closely You'll notice his skating wasn't near as fluid as normal. he's likely next for that hip surgery keeping him out until Feb. opening about 5 mil. Johnson a 1 and 2 prospects to seattle opens another 5 mil and palat is traded for a 2&3 coleman is resigned kids resigned

Lightning have lots of forwards to replace Kucherov. If Hedman is out for most of the year, the Lightning may as well be a fringe playoff team on the verge of being eliminated before Hedman can even be entered. Do you really think Tampa wants to drink from the same well if they don't want the league to think that they're circumventing?

want to no going to have to i think yes. really think he's going to need off season surgery

Skjei had a nice playoff series. I'll give him that, but best Dman available for Seattle to take...that's not a realistic thing to believe. His $5.25M cap hit is a very tough pill to take. Seattle is better off taking Foegele. Especially since it's Francis. Why is he trying to go out of his way to help the team the fired him? CAR will have to shed some pretty serious assets if they want to get rid of Skjei.

If Hedman truly needs surgery, the first place that I would look at for an extension is Savard, not Coleman. Veteran stability is important as Sergachev suddenly transitions to 1D short-term. After that, if I still have space thanks to Seattle taking Johnson and a high pick, then look at either bringing Coleman or Goodrow back.

Foegele and Bean are both protected above and Fleury was dealt to Anaheim. None of them would be a choice for Francis...

watch his skating. Savard has sucked for TB

Through UFA? This is a golden opportunity for Seattle. They have more cap space than anyone and can offer serious money in a flat cap environment. Dougie/Hall/etc... you name it. They can outbid anyone. There's no reason for them to take on unneeded cap space without getting something in return.

Gardiner would be worthless in Chicago so we say no