Why would a cup contender like the islanders trade their 2C mid season?

Because there gonna need space to sign other guys. And Pageau and Beuavillier will be fighting for a top 6 roll

Why would Carolina move someone who was on a 25+ Goal pace last year for a cap dump and a 4th? You'd need to add to Zucker a fair bit.

The premise of this construction is that Pittsburgh fails in the 2022 playoffs. Ergo, the season is over and Evgeni Malkin is a free agent (and about to turn 36). Why would Florida trade for him?

Because your window could close sooner than expected. Nino could easily walk, and Zucker is a good replacement. Covid ruined lots of players years, so dont blame him. He was great the year we traded for him till Covid hit

It isn't mid-season, it's after the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The isles have Beauvillier whonis gonna get better and better, and hes still in a bottom 6 role. There gonna have to trade one of there top 6 players, and Nelson is making some money they could use to resign guys

Doubt we do that. Rust will be 30 already; Foote will only be 21 or 22, and Wood will be 26

Beauvillier is a wing and already in the top-6. JGP is arguably the best 3C in the game. Isles have some of the strongest C depth in the league but that doesn't mean they're going to intentionally sabotage themselves and make a bad trade

No way the Panthers pay that for a rental Malkin. They don't have a burning need for centers

Zucker is a injury waiting to happen

but they have the space and beauvillier already has a top six role? he plays with nelson on his line?

Isles cap situation is fine, Beau is already a top 6 player and Pageau is the 3c. Bad trade proposal.

Why would the Devils trade two good forwards for the signing rights to one good forward?
Rust will be a 2022 UFA...he won't be traded at 2022 draft.

What other guys? Their only major re-signing next year is Pulock and to a lesser degree Clutterbuck and Komarov if they even decide to bring them back. Even if they do bring them back they won't be getting 3 million + like they are now. Pageau seems pretty content in the 3C spot since all 4 lines get pretty much equal ice time anyways. And Beau's been a 2nd line LW with Nelson and Bailey for the past 3 years, so he's already a top 6 player.

Idk what you're smoking but isles counter with Mayfield for Guentzel 1 million retained.

Zucker and Nino are both inconsistent, but Nino's deal expires and they get 5.25 mil to sign someone more consistent. Why would they take on a longer term player with consistency issues?