I can imagine Flames fans roasting me here..... why in earth would Conroy want Garland?

1. Not so much a want, but he does make the cap work.for this deal.

2. Up until this season, at least.for the last 3 years, Garland has tracked as a 50 point winger. With offense apparently in short supply Garland isn't the worst option. Granted, not the best either. We all get that.

3. The contract. With a $83.5 million cap, it's heavy granted. But with the cap increase coming, and what Garland as historically done with 15-16 minutes of ice time a night; it maybe ballpark in 2024-25.

Essentially, Garland won't make the top 9 worse in Calgary, but he could make it slightly better.

Brzustewics some see as a bit of a gamble. He has the sheer offensive skill set to be a high end PP QB in the NHL. Consistency is an issue, but at 18, that can come.... lots of time here.

Cole McWard was another target, where the game maybe more consistent and perhaps rounded, his ceiling is limited in comparison to Brzutewics. Taking a gamble on the higher ceiling.

You don't move Hanafin with garnering a 1st. Deferring it until 2025 is not ideal, but since the Canucks wouldn't pick until the 3rd in 2024 if they moved that 1st, deferring it allows going after a higher end prospect.

Note: saw the Sabres as another possible landing spot, but with Power and Jokiharju looking so good early on, I just didn't see the fit at this time.

Yes Hanafin has an 8 team no trade list, and given the consistent rumours of him prefering to play in the US, there is a likelihood the inherent 6 Canandian teams are that list. However, he was talking extension with the Flames prior to the suspension of all talks; so let's not count out the possibility. After all, in terms of sheer fit, the Canucks are simply it for Hanafin. No square pegs or round holes.

Simply put, the Canucks get a more than legit two-way defender that seriously upgrades the 2nd pairing. Further he fits into the core of the team, so there is every possibility of an extension here. A top 3 of Hughes, Hronek and Hanafin is awefully good..... now think of that long term.

We all know what Alvin hopes to do. Move Garland for a D, save about $1 million in cap without moving assets. But I have to think for Hanafin, he budges.

Cuylle's style is that of a grade B power forward who certainly can hit an create space. Although this has not translated in the NHL as of yet (the sample size is extremely small), long.term I see a 60-80 point winger here who can be a PP menace and 30 goal scorer. With the Rangers having Otthmann in the fold and Panarin and Kreider being the top two guys in LW, a player the Rangers may part with if it is for right player.

1st rounder here is a must..... Lindholm can play, and with retention a late 1st seems.more than a reasonable return.

Although Lindholm hasn't played RW in some time, we know he can - and it is a position that continues to be an issue for the Rangers. Kakko continues to spin wheels and Wheeler thus far looks like a bust. Lafreniere at least looks like he has found his footing.

Further, I'd the Rangers opt to use Lindholm at centre, Trochek can slide to the wing - where he also typically doesn't play, but at least has done so more recently.

This move may require some cap gymnastics by the Rangers, (have them about $900K over cap making this move), or requiring a 3rd team to take on about $1 million.

Just seems there is little.doubt the Rangers will be making a move to shore up the RW, and Lindholm from a cap perspective maybe the cheapest way to do it.

I can't see Tanev being part of this team long term, so picking up a 2nd here while retaining (pundits are saying Tanev nets a 3rd), isn't a horrible return.

Smith comes back to make the cap work; and he is a warm body to fill a roster spot.

Where the Devils may want to upgrade in net, right now, not seeing many options that move the needle for them - if at all over Vanacek.

But, picking up Tanev certainly upgrades Smith, and when healthy is an upgrade over Miller. Now, we can argue the Fitz isn't moving a bigher round pick for a rental (which maybe true), but in acquiring Tanev here, it is hard not to argue that blueline rivals Carolina's..... that would be the temptation.

Seigenthaler and Tanev as a shit down pair? Yes please.

Since it looks like Klingberg is head to LTIR (and possibly Robidas Island), the Leafs magically have the cap space to fit Zadarov under cap.

I suspect that the Leafs would love some retention here, but I see that being a 3rd team involved to make that happen as I would suggest Conroy just may want to reserve his retention spots for Hanifin, Tanev and Lindholm to max those returns (seeing as this deal is likely to happen sooner than later).

Further, since the retention price tag will be in the Leafs, I am not bothering to figure that out

Frankly I like Peeke..... and as a bottom pairing D, would provide a good physical presence. Young enough to still grow a game, as I still see 2nd pairing potential here. Very much a low risk high reward move, and putting Peeke Ina situation where he is not asked too much - as he was with the Jackets in 22-23 imo. Weegar could be a great mentor here.