Signings:
Pelech gets $.25 mil less than Brodin on his contract, but produces slightly less offensively.
Beau signs long term, similar to Bjorkstrand (5x5.4)
Sorokin signs for 4.5, similar to Demko's deal, but 500k less due to less NHL experience.
Cizikas takes a discount to chase a cup, still gets decent term.
Halak returns on a one year deal, as it seems Swayman/Rask will be the B's duo
Dermott has strong advanced stats, gets more than he probably would in TOR, plays top 4 minutes.
Trades:
Most seem like fair value, but a Bellows, Wilde, Salo, or more picks could be added to even value.
Ladd stays for another year buried in minors. If he doesn't end up on LTIR this year (bad knee issues, Lou/Robidas island), next year would be a safe bet, and the cost to move him would be cheaper.
Lines:
27-13-7 and 18-29-12 remain together, solid top 6.
Golyshev gets 1st crack on LW3, but MDC is trusted by Trotz, and Bellows has highest upside for possible options.
17-53-15 fourth line, like always
Pelech-Pulock stays together
Dermott-Dobson (keeps the alliteration on defense, Dermott is solid defensively, allowing Dobson to take risks offensively. Dobson needs to be thrown into top 4 minutes to challenge him, similar to how Trotz gave pelech-pulock tough assignments in his first year here.)
Bolduc-Mayfield (Bolduc gets 1st crack at LD2 over Salo: trusted by Trotz, doesn't need to adapt to NA ice. Bolduc is similar to Toews: skilled offensively, smart hockey IQ which can help cover up some of Mayfield's shortcomings similar to how Toews did. Mayfield shifts down to 3rd pair PK specialist, which is ideally where he should be).
I personally would like to see Trotz experiment late in the season with splitting Pelech and Pulock up. being able to ice a Norris-level D-man for 2/3 of the game is advantageous. (Similar to Minnesota having Spurgeon and Brodin anchor their own pairings). Pelech-Dobson allows Dobson to play offensive with an amazing shutdown D to cover for him. Dermott-Pulock could take tough matchups, as both are strong defensively as compared to only Pelech and not Dobson.
Sorokin has proved throughout the playoffs he can handle being a starter, but Halak knows the island, and can play a heavy backup role like he did for Rask, keeping Sorokin fresh for playoffs. Jaro was solid for the isles on teams that struggled defensively, he could flourish under Trotz, especially with Korn as his goalie coach (got strong results from Greiss, Lehner, Varly, and Sorokin, and that's just with NYI).
Leafs get grit in Ross, Aho can replace Dermott as a cheap depth defenseman under contract, and a pick for Dermott, who is stuck behind others in Toronto and needs a new contract.
Devils take on one year of Komarov for a 2nd and Koivula, a decent prospect who can play both center and wing but is stuck behind others on the isles depth chart
Similar to Marc Staal trade last year, with less money coming back and a later (most likely) pick in the second round. Can help mentor young D, or could be buried in Grand Rapids.
Isles send a quality starter in Varlamov to Oilers, get cheap goalie depth in Stalock, decent prospect in Benson, and a second. Seems like fair value based on the year Varlamov had, would Oilers fans accept? Why/why not?
I like the DET trade. Even a late 2nd in the very deep 2022 draft is a great asset to have. But like @Billy12Bob said, you may have to add another late pick to force Detroit's hand into accepting.
One of the more realistic ACGMs I've seen lately. Well done.
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