Vancouver would be the one paying more in that swap, not Washington. Mantha's putting up similar point totals despite being the only valuable offensive output on his line, and Washington can't take on much more salary if they expect Backstrom to return (which seems likely)

Interesting. Thats NOT how I have read the situation, I have come to understand via media and us goofs on this site that Boeser's value is higher than Mantha's value

Hawks decline. Not giving Vancouver $2m in cap space for free.

Well thats not really what this is. Its acquiring a 7th, ridding themselves of the Blackwell cap and non value and then acquiring something that becomes an asset at the TDL. So really its moving pieces around to acquire a 4th (ish) and a 7th for nothing.

If Pearson were worth more, then VAN would make the trade themselves. Hawks arent doing the hard work finding a buyer, retaining on your contract, and giving up a decent 4th liner to help the Canucks out.

Yea I guess, I guess what Im saying is VAN gains the cap space at the beginning of the season but are still taking $1.2m back and paying a 7th. Then CHI (who has more flexibility) can deal Pearson to whoever is in need of a depth winger at $1.625m at the TDL when value for those players goes up. CHI turns a $1.2m plug into 2 draft picks when instead they would just have that $1.2m plug.