You aren't getting Carlson from the Caps unless Simmonds is coming back.

Cool. Good to know! Don't think I'd do that. I'd do someone else, but not Simmer.

I kinda like your logic on the Carlsson trade. Caps have money to spend elsewhere and Carlsson only has one year on his contract. To me, it's more than generous to the Caps, especially if Haag is deemed NHL ready.
Not so sure any team would commit so long to Voracek and his contract.

Voracek, Morin, and a 2nd for E. Kane and the #8? I'd find Hextall and do what he did to Chelios if Hextall made that trade. That's not nearly enough for Carlson and that's not even factoring in that we're in the same division. You want a #1D, you're paying a lot more than a possibly NHL ready prospect and some picks. I'll put money on Raffl being the 7th forward protected and Cousins is not worth a two round jump. He's a fringe third liner at best and those guys are not worth 2nd round picks.

Wasn't getting Carlson as a #1D, but if that's how most people view him I can reevaluate. I view him more so as a #2 or #3. The division thing doesn't matter and is completely overblown. I mean we've traded with the Penguins 12 times so it happens. The trade with BUF is more so giving up a lot invest it long-term. Idk, I think Cousins is worth at least a 3rd, and when you add an extra pick it could be enough to move up another round.

I'll take your bet on Raffl not being the 7th forward protected and say that the spot goes to someone else like PEBs, Cousins, and Laughton - all of which are just as likely to get it.

12/50 = .24 [we make .24 trades a year with the Penguins according to your statement]

1.) I don't understand why we are paying Ghost an AVV of 4.5mil. He has yet to prove that he can play at an semi-elite level constantly, so the AAV doesn't make sense.
2.) Carlson is only under contract for one more year, and since we have ample amounts of prospects coming up, I don't see where he will fit into the system. It's sorta like the front court logjam that the Sixers had earlier this year.
3.) Voracek is worth more than Evander Kane, so I don't envision or understand the logic behind trading an above average prospect in Morin and then a higher pick. I also don't envision that Tippet goes outside the top 6, as I would take him as high as 3rd overall in the draft.

1. Thanks for the feedback, Ghost AAV is about market value and it is more about a long term investment since we'd be buying some UFA years so it naturally drives the price up. He's probably worth $4-4.33M, but I up the price due to extra years. Elite level defenders don't make $4M unless you sign them before they are elite. If you wait until they are elite they make between $6-8M.
2. Yes Carlson is under contract 1 more year, and I'd be more comfortable paying him than I owuld be hoping the prospects pan out. Also, I traded away two of the prospects (Hagg/Morin) so there isn't really a logjam on defense at that point.
3. Yes Voracek is better than Kane. However, #8 /Kane is worth more than Jake easily - due to his contract. Therefore I added instant defensive help for BUF (Morin) who could be a great defender to pair with Risto and added at mid 2nd round pick to even out the value. I didn't give them a higher pick so I'm not sure what you mean. Also, I think Tippett could go #3 too, but with the amount of team that need defense and cetners he could slip behind players like Nico, Patrick, Middelstadt, Vilardi, and Glass - that's without assuming someone takes a defender too. Also, if Tippett is off the board I'd go with Tolvanen which IMO is being overlooked and should easily be a top-10 pick.

.. I know people are against trading Jake, and for obvious reasons, but I think since we lucked into this #2 pick we could really transform this team by staying relevant by making a few moves.

Evander Kane and the 8th are not worth Jake, especially for the role that he plays on this team. You don't trade your second best player for a lesser player and a pick and call that "staying relevant". That would be called a rebuild.

With Ghost, it is better to overpay in years and AAV, then to underpay in years and AAV. Defensemen typically stay better for longer.

Also, staying relevant would involve us keeping our core players.

yeah well considering the fact that Jake might be the 4th best player on the team idk if I agree. I'd put G, Coots, & Simmonds ahead of him.



I'm confused by what you are saying. I thought you were saying I overpaid and gave too long of term to him. No?

While Provy/Carlson would a sick top2, don't think Caps trade Carlson to the East let alone Philly. Don't think Kane for Voracek is worth it, even if it nets us #8. Would think BUF wants NHL-ready dmen, not sure if Morin is what they are looking for.

I think Hextall will give Ghost a bridge deal, although I wouldn't be shocked if he got something comparable to Zaitsev, at least in dollars.