couldnt afford 2nd t
Joined: Sep. 2021
Posts: 1,018
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My criticism of this package would be that Ottawa (and apparently the Rangers) valued Boucher higher than most other teams. So unless Arizona is one of those teams who value him as mid 1st rounder, it isn't efficient to include him in the trade. It's like Ottawa including a piece they see as a 1st round pick, but Arizona only sees it as a 2nd round pick. It's the opposite of efficiency.
Replace Boucher with Formenton, take out the random 4th round picks, and that's what I think Ottawa is probably offering. Maybe throw in another B or C type prospect.
The issue I assume is that Arizona probably wants one of Greig or Pinto. Ottawa cannot trade either of them. They need their ELCs, and Ottawa's prospect pool for players outside the NHL is not that good, so there is no guarantee that they will get a lot of help in their bottom 6 from other prospects. Greig and Pinto are their only two sure things to contribute this year and next year as the salaries rise.
Arizona is likely basing their ask on the ridiculous Seth Jones trade, while also turning the screws on Ottawa because they are the only team who can give Ottawa an underpaid (by real money salary) top 2D with term, while also taking Zaitsev. The only way Ottawa will get any leverage is if behind the scenes Chychrun wants something done, and Arizona is forced into meeting a deadline to move him. That's the only way I think this type of package happens.
In short, Ottawa's package is probably similar to what you have in the OP but with Formenton in place of Boucher. Arizona probably is asking for your package, but with Greig also in it.