Holland won't trade a 1st for a rental, so this assumes a reasonable extension has been negotiated with Kuemper prior to the trade.

I reckon you could probably add a touch of retention on Kuemper and add Arizona's 4th to the trade. Larsson for Koskinen is relatively even all things considered but Kuemper without retention really isn't worth a 1st.

Alternatively - and it's far too clever for Holland to even consider - retain the extra $1.5M on Koskinen in order to maximize our LTIR pool and have the Coyotes send us a 3rd back.

Yeah, I like the first suggestion. But retaining on Koskinen leaves no space for in-season call-ups in case of short-term injury - and I'm 100% certain Holloway and (one or both of) Broberg and Samorukov will see the light of day in Edmonton this season. Holland needs that $1.5M cushion IMO.

I could justify Holloway and Samorukov making appearances, especially Dima even if I'd rather give Holloway the entire year in the AHL, but there's no justification for Broberg unless the injury list is a mile long. Niemelainen is a more apt call-up than Broberg right now. He needs a full year to get back on track. Last year was disastrous for ol Philly Broberg.

I get that the organization will give both their 9 games but I'm really down on Broberg at the moment. I'd be quite literally horse-and-carroting his 9 games as a goal to work towards next year.

I don't disagree, but I get the feeling that the org is really high on him and wouldn't hesitate to call him up after Christmas if there are injuries.