@gmgb @jeuck75 @ZPirtle Thoughts?

@AnalyticalGM @herzausstein @Radu47 Thoughts?

All of these moves make sense on the surface to me. The only one I'm questioning is Ekholm. As valuable of a trade chip as he would be, he's said over and over he doesn't want to go. If we signed him short term, like 3-4 years and less than $6M, I'd be ok with not moving him. He's still solid for 20+ minutes a night.

I'm expecting Forsberg to be traded if we're not close to the WC bubble by the Olympic break.

I don't particularly want to trade either Forsberg or Ekholm -- just put those two as potential moves that I'm on the fence about. I don't see anyone in-house to replace what Ekholm does for a few years (could Bolduc be that guy?) at least, so I'd be more than happy to re-sign him. However, if Ekholm does re-sign, I don't think it'll be under $6m. I'm thinking he gets something closer to Petry's $6.25 x 4 deal.

I think Big Save Dave might get more than a 5th

He got a 3rd last year, but his time in TOR didn't really help his value. And now he signed for only a 1 x $1.25m deal -- if they're lucky, he bounces back a bit and they can get a 4th. I don't see him doing any better than that honestly, but we'll see.

cousins only worth a 4th?

That's what he got when he was traded to VGK -- I don't think his value has gone up since then, so I think the same valuation makes sense this year.

I would have said a third but either ways leafs say yes

Like the moves!! Althought I'd rather get 1 1st than 2 2nds for Eks, lol. Really like Ingram and Afanasyev from what I've seen in presason!!

It's gonna be tough finding a reason to send Afanasyev down. His shot looks fantastic, he's been producing, he's a big body, and he can play center or wing. I bet Hynes is loving him right now -- seems to be the exact kind of player they've been trying to add to this roster this off-seaosn.

ultimately I don't see these players on the team at the end of the season:

Rittich, Cousins, Grimaldi, Benning, Boroweicki. What they'll return will ultimately depend on how they play during the year. Right now with how the preseason is going, I'm about ready to just gamble with Ingram and waive Rittich but that'd likely blow up in my face... at the same time, we aren't exactly cup contenders this season so *shrug*. Boroweicki was bad last season but he was dealing with concussion issues (or atleast some other medical issue). Cousins and Grimaldi are probably mid round picks 3rd-4th rounds. Benning is really cheap defensive depth probably in the realm of a 4th-5th.

The elephants in the room: Forsberg and Ekholm.... I think we should trade him now tbh. We aren't in a win now cup mode and by the time we are he's gonna be nearing decline (especially given his injury history). Get a good return. I kindof like the devil's return.

Ekholm keeps saying all the right things about wanting to stay in Nashville but.... he's 30...and just like with Forsberg we should get what we can for him. Bolduc is a good prospect just not sure how big of a need he is with Farrance, Davies, Del Gaizo, and Chistyakov in the pipeline. Probably wouldn't be bad to go ahead and get another good d prospect though.

All in all, I think the moves are all pretty decent. Would like to squeeze more out of the islanders deal but it's acceptable.

Afanasyev has made a great impression at camp. Playing in the KHL last season seems to of really helped his development. I think his play is just about demanding that he get a look at the start of the season. I think he's outplayed Tomasino tbh (and i'm a huge Tomasino fan). Jeannot made a great impression as well. I think it's time to give Novak some NHL time too.

I'd also like to trade Sissons but that's another story.

I'd be open to trading Sissons, but I have a feeling he'll be here a couple more years at least.

As for Bolduc (or a similar LHD), I like that he replaces the size lost by trading Ekholm. He's a big body, and all of those guys you named are all under 6 ft.

And I agree on Afanasyev. He looks to have an NHL-ready shot and is playing great hockey right now. I want to see him make the team. I've been less impressed with Tomasino, but only saw him in the one game so far. If he plays tomorrow, it will be interesting to see who his linemates are. Afanasyev, Ingram, Novak, Pitlick, and Davies are my 5 borderline players that I think have really stood out this pre-season so far.

Nashville is kind of an enigma to me right now. It really feels like they're just in wait and see mode. If they're out of the race come the deadline, I'd imagine they'd look to sell, but outside of that, I have no idea what their direction is, what they want, or whose on the table... I realized as I'm typing this that I don't really have a point relating to your post, but whatever.

I agree with @Jeuck75 - I'd rather get a 1st instead of two 2nds for Ekholm.

Boqvist and Kuokkanen don't really do much for me, but overall I wouldn't complain too much if this is how it all shook down by the deadline.

Yeah, as far as the Forsberg deal, I really have no clue what that might look like.

For the Ekholm deal -- maybe a condition on the 2022 pick that if they make it to the finals and Ekholm plays in 50% of their games, it becomes a 1st or something.

Probably going to have to retain on Ekholm and/or add in a mid pick or prospect to get that much from NYI, but I like it.

What's the feeling around Jeannot? Could he be had?

I don't think there is any chance they trade him right now after protecting him over Jarnkrok.

He looks good this pre-season as well and has a great contract. There's really no reason to move him.

UFA trades all make sense regardless of team success this season, NSH has enough young talent ready for a shot at the roster
Cousins, Benning, Rittich would be the ones to keep "for a run"

It all comes down to Forsberg/Ekholm
They won't get true value for Forsberg the impact left will not be replaced. If he truly has lost touch with management a trade is only outcome but they will have to get a scoring threat prospect

Ekholm seems more likely to stay, especially after the Ryan Ellis trade. He loves NSH, clearly a leader on the team and it makes sense to keep Josi/Ekholm as the two veteran D let fabbro, myers, carrier, farrance fill out the depth chart