Wahlstrom will request a trade if he’s the 13 F.

Why is Bailey at RW2? You can rotate him to his natural LW position. Also, Parise would be on the bench and Wahlstrom should start as Db1899 said at LW3. You also haven't used any of Boychuk's LTIR overages towards the cap. Isles can aim higher if they want (and I think they do).

If Armstrong’s goal is to shed salary, taking on Leo and retaining is probably not happening

You're not getting a prospect and a draft pick without retaining salary and taking on salary for a guy with 3 shoulder surgeries who's disgruntled and is being paid $7.5m AAV. Short term pain, long term gain.

I’m not the one who made the trade and as I said Armstrong’s goal is to move the money. According to reports today it’s between NYR NYI and NJD. So I would imagine it’s down to who takes the most money, then the best return.

The Blues aren't getting any top line prospects or draft picks from any of the teams. Pretty sure at least one of those teams is a red herring and isn't actually in the running (it actually could be the Isles).

The reality is that Tarasenko's injury history and desire for a trade (and the lack of moving him to Seattle) has effectively tanked his value, and that keeps going down with each passing day. And the Blues only have $6 million to sign Sanford, Kyrou, and Thomas and are in big danger of an offer sheet. Getting even an extra $3.75 million off the cap will help resign those guys and move on.

Here's what Lamoriello would likely say to Armstrong "You have to move VT, we don't have to take him. But we'll take on his entire cap hit but you'd have to give us something in return. Or maybe we'll offer sheet Kyrou instead." Armstrong's fooling himself if he thinks that he can play teams off of one another for VT. Rangers and Devils aren't contenders and would be making a move to make a move. They are years away and know it. They can and will walk away with their draft futures. If those rumors are correct, Isles are the only real market in town, unless another team strikes out on Eichel and settles for Tarasenko.

They have 6M to sign Thomas and Kyrou. Don’t think Sanford is a priority at all. He got shopped last year and no one took him. Secondly, no one is offer sheeting anyone. They never do, they never will. So let’s not pretend like somebody is gonna open that box. They got plenty of money to bridge Thomas who had a down year with injuries and Kyrou who had a good but not great first campaign. Lastly, as I have said previously, Armstrong goal is to move the money. I have never once said we want a first or best prospect. I said money first then return. Honestly, I’m beginning to think Armstrong holds him and trades him in season next year if he shows he’s healthy. Either way not a horribly pressing issue for the Blues until they resign Kyrou and Thomas