Switch that to Eric and drop the third.

Benning is out indefinitely, so as much as I think he'd be a good target if fit, I don't think that happens.

Too many pieces in the Eriksson Ek trade to my mind and needs more quality over quantity.

The Buffalo trade you're having a giraffe. Buffalo declines all day every day.

I think the Minnesota deal is better if you take out Tufte and Olausson, and then also Byram and the picks and Eriksson Ek too.

When did Eriksson Ek become Jack Eichel? That trade is nuts.

I think his term and cap hit both being long and cheap relative to his production bumps up his value drastically

Sure but not to Byram, a first, plus, plus.

"Plus, plus" Let's be serious for a second, Byram and the 1st is pretty much the only value in this package. The only other piece I'd consider worth talking about is the late 2nd, three drafts from now.

Plus plus doesn't matter. What matter is thinking the Avs still need to add after including Byram and a first. That's already too much. And if that's the ask, move on and look elsewhere.

So the Wild need to trade their no 1 center to the Avs for a Defensemen that misses significant time each year. A late 1st rounder is the main piece in 2 years. A 2nd in 3 years. Tufte that has played 18 NHL games. And a prospect that is averaging .33-.5 points per game in the AHL. This is the type of return Ek gets on an amazing contract for the next 5+ years? If thats the case, we got lots of goodies for MacKinnon. And this trade doesn't compare to what Eichel and Eichel was going to have a very controversial surgery that hasn't been seen in the NHL. There was talk he might only be 75% of what he was.

Good luck.

Nope, the Wild don't need to do anything they dont want to. But Colorado isn't paying that.

Byram has had a rough road so far, but he's still likely going to be a cornerstone for the next decade. The way his value has tanked on this site is crazy. And Avs fans trading him in every post is getting on my nerves.

I can agree with Byram's value dropping. I don't think it should, but health is a big part of making a trade. He's a hell of a player and talent. I don't think the fit is right and really the Wild wouldn't want to move on from Ekkers. Hes been big for us and is playing well with Kap and Boldy. For any team to get Ek, it would take a monumental over pay and for a division rival, even more.

I agree that Minnesota wouldn't move Ek and also agree that the fit isn't there. My main point is that Colorado won't be moving that type of package.

I guess my frustration came through with the Eichel comment. That was kinda dumb in retrospect. But like I said, seeing Avs fans trade Byram, a first, etc has struck a nerve. The team isn't paying that kind of price.

I don't think they need to trade him. I think a younger 2c that is a bit more dynamic would be beneficial. But the AVs are loaded. I haven't watched many Avs games this year. Getting Landy back next year will provide a huge boost to this team. Thats a massive piece and identity piece to your org.

But the Wild need a few KEY bad season to really make the jump. Imagine Celebrini with Kaprizov and Boldy. Rossi on the 2nd line and Ekkers as the most elite number 3c in history. That changes things quite a bit. I think the Wild need 2-3 more key pieces before they really contend. I would rather see it through the draft.

The Avs definitely need Landeskog back (Lehkonen too). Johansen and Tatar didn't really work out, so they have a hole in the middle six. But once those two guys return (Landy and Lehk) it should close pretty drastically. Perhaps Johansen even finds his game when playing with better talent. A move is fine, but a Byram++ type of move is not.

I think the Wild are in decent shape if a few dominoes fall right for them. Faber certainly has provided a boost. But I think the worst case scenario is they continue to be that 7 or 8 playoff team and never really get that elite core.