I can’t see them doing the trade. Just offersheet him the max 2nd round value and you’ve got him imo. If they sit him in game 6 they obviously didn’t think highly enough of him so he’s likely not worth much to them.

Buffalo says yes

I signed him for what would be a 3rd round compensation, so figured I would offer a third and some sweetener for the rights instead of just doing a straight offersheet

Tampa and New York say no.

Why? There’s a ton of flexibility here.

I'd imagine the Blues might happily give a 3rd for McLeod.

Devils fan here-

Acquiring Mittelstadt just to play him in the bottom 6 (a role he's not built for) makes zero sense.

Tampa probably couldn't afford Zacha's next contract, so they'd say no. I want Colton, but this deal wouldn't do it.

Rangers wouldn’t take it. And I think Kakko gets closer to $2.5mil min.

Value wise it makes sense, but Colton is a special player, a clutch playoff performer, and I don't see Tampa parting with him just yet.

And Kakko still has a few more years to develop into a top six player. He's not a bust. I think the Rangers will give him one more year to prove his potential before looking to move him.

3 mil QO for Zacha easy pass