This sounds 100% correct. Cat is definitely worth a lot, but can’t ignore the circumstances surrounding his play. Definitely helps playing with kane, but doesn’t mean he’s not worth a lot.

Only time debrincat regularly plays with Kane is on the pp. Hawks always change up their lines. I'd be disappointed if that was the return the hawks got. Better off keeping cat instead of hoping Holloway becomes as good as cat

Edmonton cannot take on DeBrincat's contract without money going the other way. Take Keith at full $$ was a mistake. They have no room, have to resign Puljujarvi and find a #1 goalie .....they're screwed.

Not to mention his contract is an absolute steal.

It's not just hoping Holloway is as good as Cat. You have to consider those picks as prospects that could possibly be ready for the NHL right away or even two years after drafted. Also, you have to consider the money that free's up for the hawks. They could definitely bolster their roster in free agency with that 6.4mil and also not having to plan ahead for his giant raise in summer 23. There are tons of great UFA options over the next few years. If the hawks decide they are rebuilding, they shouldn't be tying themselves down with big contracts. So moving Cat would suck, but could be a smart move for the long term.

All of that being said, I don't think Cat really helps the Oilers situation. Scoring goals isn't really a problem for them right now. It's the other end of the ice that needs to be remedied. They have enough offensive talent to not have to worry about forwards too much.

Between Holloway, yamamoto, and 2 draft picks the odds of more than 1 of those pieces working out are insanely low. I'd rather keep the sure thing top 5 goal scorer in the league. Debrincat's only 24. He can still be in his prime after a rebuild. His next contract is due when toews and kane come off the books and the hawks will have plenty of cap space that summer (as of now). Even if you resign toews and Kane they will both be making less than their current deals. You're not gonna find a free agent for 6.4 mil that contributes anywhere close to debrincat. I really see zero positives to trading him unless someone offers an insane can't say no offer. This isn't close to that.

Oh yeah. I think any trade involving him should knock our socks off. And this doesn't quite do it. I'm just saying there was more value in other aspects of this proposed trade than it seemed like you were acknowledging.

As far as free agency goes, I think there is a lot more promise there than you realize. A lot of talented 30 to 60 point per year players that would come pretty cheap with term that would help a rebuilding team still be competitive and be great pieces to surround budding stars with as a rebuild starts wrapping up. Not saying Cat wouldn't be great for budding stars too. But I just feel like he is going to cost more than a rebuilding team should be willing to spend at this juncture. But they still have enough money this summer and next year coming off the books to do that without trading anyone. They just wouldn't have much of a prospect pool. Which will become more important as CHI starts to work its way back into the final stages of a rebuild.

Otherwise we'll end up in the same place everyone always complains about, being cap strapped and blaming whatever GM in hindsight for not making the right moves. I am no defender of Bowman or anything. Just saying, most hockey fans of any team start calling for heads to roll as soon as any adversity hits their favorite team. But then they'll flip just as quickly when things are looking good.