I doubt the jets trade happens no cap for patches as a result

No from Winnipeg. At this point of the off season, Winnipeg isn't trading Dubois without an equivalent center coming back.

I think Winnipeg must accept that

I’d say that’s pretty close for Winnipeg. If they’re out of the playoffs by the deadline and Dubois still hasn’t changed his mind, then I would imagine they say yes.

Bruins should accept if they need to move Smith but for now they shouldn’t trade him

They most certainly do not.

The only reason to trade craig smith is if they need cap space, and moving him is the only option. Eating salary there is not a thing, especially when they’re getting nothing in return.

Canes likely decline

It would start with Morrow

Well yeah you’re right they should only trade him if they have to but that’s good value for him

No it is not. Horrific actually, especially given the retention.

Canes pass on both trades. Canes aren’t trading for a rental in PLD, which rules out any chance Necas and that 2023 first gets moved, and the Canes have no need for Smith.

PLD's not a rental. He's an RFA next summer.

Dubois will indeed be an RFA w/Arb rights after this upcoming season, but I don't see the Canes pursuing this one. I don't think there's long term interest on either side.

Assuming that PLD still only wants to play for Montreal, he will indeed be a rental when he signs that 1 year deal that walks him to UFA. It doesn’t matter who he plays for next year, he will be on a one year deal so he can sign wherever he wants for 2024-25. Canes rarely trade for rentals, and when they have, the biggest piece they have given up in the past 20+ years has been a 2nd round pick when they traded for Mark Recchi in 2005-06. Not to mention, Canes have no need for more Centers, since they already have too many as is. Just like Miller to Carolina wouldn’t work, Dubois to Carolina won’t work either.

Even if CAR mismanages the asset and only gets two years out of PLD, that still doesn't make him a rental.

Most of CAR's centers can also play wing, so too many centers doesn't seem like much of an issue. Plus, they're giving up two in this proposal, and only getting one back anyway. One of CAR's problems is they only have one top six center right now. This trade would give them an upgrade at 2C, instead of hoping one of Necas or Kotkaniemi make some big strides.

Rarely trading for rentals in the past 20 years, when CAR was out of the playoffs more often than not, isn't the flex you think it is.

Ultimately, it's not an ideal return for WPG. They should focus on trying to get a return with fewer but better pieces coming back.

I just don't see the Canes pursuing this. The logic here is not entirely wrong, but not entirely right either. For reasons I just don't want to spend too much time explaining Dubois isn't someone they are interested in. I could see Necas being moved for a significant upgrade at C/W but for the absolute right deal. That includes cost AND term. I do think term is a commodity the Canes mgmt values. Appreciate all of the input here.

First of all, the Canes don’t “mismanage” assets. If PLD is only wanting a 1 year deal so he can hit the market, it doesn’t matter what the Canes do if he is just going to walk anyway. And yes, if you are dead set on leaving as soon as you hit UFA, you are a rental, regardless if it’s 1 year or 2.

Yes, most of the Canes C can play wing, but that doesn’t mean that they should. Aho was developed as a wing until he was mature enough for the 1C role. KK can play wing, but he is much better suited for a C role, and didn’t work out that well on the wings. Staal is a C, through and through, and Brind’amour won’t play him on the wing until someone comes along and becomes better at Staal’s role than Staal. Management and Brind’amour are both content to let KK have the 2C role, with Necas and Stastny being the available safety blankets. Most people don’t know this because they spend too much time hating on KK, but when he was thrown into the 2C role during the Canes Covid stretch, he scored at about a 1.5 P/PG pace. Canes aren’t worried about KK, and it’s not like PLD is a complete upgrade. Career high of 61 points and inconsistent at best defensively, not to mention the high unlikelihood he would remain in Carolina since he will almost certainly sign a 1 year to walk to UFA, Canes are happy to rock what they currently have.

I wasn’t saying that rarely trading for rentals was a flex. I was merely pointing out the Canes don’t pay rental prices, leading them not to trade for rentals that much.

Winnipeg would be smart to take the best offer they can since, again, the likelihood PLD becomes at best, if he is traded this off-season, a 2 year rental. Every other team in the league would be smart to just wait an extra year to see if they can land him in UFA. And some teams, like the Canes, will have no interest in PLD whatsoever.

Cheers and have a nice night.

Bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Thank you, that made me laugh. Morrow is breaking Cale Makar's UMass records. He'd need CONNOR coming back.

Alright, time to calm down the room. Let's keep it civil. We've beat this one around pretty good. More trades to explore. Hockey season is getting closer, folks!

Holy hubris, Batman!