we miss leo k
Joined: Feb. 2018
Posts: 5,961
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This feels like a deal where neither side is happy, which means it's probably a very fair value.
Nelson might not have another 35+ goal season in him, but he's proven throughout his career that he is very dependable for 25 goals and strong 2-way play. I feel like that makes him more valuable than DeBrusk, who plays the wing instead of center and hasn't shown the same consistency to this point in his career (okay rookie season, good sophomore year, 2 forgettable seasons, then a bounce back this year - I feel like you can call him inconsistent if still very talented.)
Craig Smith is also a great player but adding him to the Islanders just gives them too many forwards under contract for next year - they'd either have to move out one of their own guys, or they can switch it up and take a player from a position Boston is stacked at in LD. Reilly is a fine player, but I feel like JDB+Reilly for Nelson needs Boston to add (2nd/3rd rounder maybe?) Forbort probably has similar value, maybe a little more than Reilly. Lindholm is obviously a non-starter, and if they wanted to talk JDB+Grz for Nelson, I think the Isles could add there - maybe do a pick swap (Isles 2nd for Boston's 3rd?) or throw in a little something extra that Boston might want from the Isles system (Raty/Holmstrom would be off the table, but an of our B/B- prospects could be added IMO)
Definitely something to chew on, and love seeing an out of the box trade idea that both fanbases can chew on for a bit.