couldnt afford 2nd t
Joined: Sep. 2021
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 441
That would be a very solid package for Matthews in a scenario where Matthews is walking, and he uses the prospect of his NMC that starts on July 1st to limit the destinations. No team will want to pay major assets for him if he won't re-sign because the NMC then ties their hands. This happens like clockwork every time a big time pending UFA is rumoured or speculated to be available. The fanbase says it will take all these top end blue chip pieces, because the player is really good. Then their contract status and/or trade protection results in the player getting pennies on the dollar in a trade return. The same thing happened with Karlsson. It's very rare for a pending UFA to get full value back in the form of futures. Seth Jones might be the only recent example where it happened, and that trade is the exception to the rule.
Lawson Crouse is extremely valuable with his contract and style of play. If Arizona made him available in a trade, they would get something huge back.
Add in the 12th overall pick in a very strong draft, and a decent young player with some upside who is also a former Soo Greyhound...
I would say, substitute Crouse with Schmaltz. Arizona won't want to give up Crouse if they have the leverage not to.