Quoting: bwhsocal
I really doubt it, they rave about McBain. They have 34 picks (most in first 3 rounds) in next 3 years (had 12 this draft) so the picks arent that bid a deal. Joseph is older and cost more, plays W (not a need) and his best year points is barely above McBain rookie year. more look at it AZ easy pass.
Joseph is only 3 years older, makes 1.35 AAV more... In 2021-22, Joseph had 30 pts in only 69 games, all these pts were at ES or PK
I agree that McBain has more value than Joseph because of contract, age, etc but Thomson (1st in 2019, still a good prospect) + 2nd + 3rd is way too much for that difference.
This trade wouldn't happen because like you said Arizona has so many picks, they'd need a serious reason to make that move and Ottawa wouldn't want to pay that price.
People are looking for complicated solutions when it should be really simple :
- Trade Kubalik for a pick (2nd?)
- Trade Brannstrom for a young forward like McBain (but a Winger)
- Sign Pinto to a 1 year bridge deal
- Kleven comes in and replaces Brannstrom
- Forward group is nice and toasty (let's say for example the young forward acquired for Brannstrom was McBain :
Tkachuk - Stutzle - Tarasenko
Joseph - Norris - Batherson
Greig - Pinto - Giroux
McBain - Kastelic - MacEwen