Also, wtf happened to Clutterbuck’s contract? And Ladd is healthy, won’t be on LTIR.

I did to Clutterbuck what Calgary did to Stone a few years back. They bought out his contract then signed him back. Clutterbuck has a pretty decent buyout cost, but his cap hit is extreme for what he brings. It's a stretch to assume realism, but it should exist as a money reducing method for the creative.

I never know what to do with ladd's ever changing status.

Most people flame any post including a trade for Zadorov. People just don't like him. I don't blame them really, but the sight of him shouldn't immediately trigger the inner fandom when he does realistically fill a gap that Leddy left. Just because YOU don't like him as a fan doesn't mean the organization doesn't like him as a player. I've been doing Leddy to Detroit mocks for almost a year now at about the value he got today - wings fans hated it and said it would never be, but here we are. Especially in the system NY uses, he has the right tools to do well, just needs the right use for them. Really the ultimate issue is getting his self worth of $ down.

Otherwise literally all I did was trade for a 6/7 low option, low risk, medium reward defenseman and move out some money. I don't understand what is so nonsensical about this given some of the other mocks out there.

You are saving about 500k by buying Clutterbuck out, making a move ownership wouldn’t allow, 1 million dollars is still a lot of money just to save 500k on the cap. Bailey would be protected, unnecessary to let him go for nothing. Wahlstrom doesn’t have the skills to take over Bailey’s role on the team, a defensive playmaker. Wahlstrom is an offensive sniper. I don’t think Trotz would give Dobson 2RD over Mayfield, a trusted veteran defenseman. With the space you got, forget Kampf and sign Cizikas.

Maybe my resign value on Clutterbuck is off. Given he's still making the buyout money, he might come back at 750k. In that scenario it's worthwhile.

Bailey is a tough one because I think keeping Palmieri is more important use of that money. I guess we will know in two days the protection lists, but I'm not yet convinced that from a long term financial situation they want to be stuck with an overpaid middle sixer. He's good, but there's better uses for the money.

D pairings can be shifted around, that doesn't matter much.

Now that I've read up on some other posts, Cizikas would make more sense. At first I thought he'd be after a 3.25x4 or something alike, but I've seen many AGMs with 2.5x6 which is more feasible for now. I'd adjust that.

Yeah, Arthur Staple said he thinks 2.5x6, he’s very reliable and the $ makes sense for the term. Clutterbuck would probably make 1.5 if he was a FA, probably would only take 500k off to stay with the Islanders. I think you have too many moving pieces in the trades for it to be realistic. While I’d love for him to return, I don’t think Palmieri re-signing is a very high priority, and IMO, pretty unlikely unless Eberle gets dealt.

On the Z trade: I would do it before the expansion draft if it meant we lost him for nothing. After it? I’m probably eying the EDM 2nd instead of the COL one.

#Free Riikola

Another player Sullivan has basically chased out the door because he *gasp* hits