I say thing as someone who likes both Carrier and Novak a lot, I don't see what's appealing for the Oilers in this trade. Ceci still has one season left after this one While Carrier is a pending UFA. And since I'd classify both as number 4-5 defensmen, the Oilers wouldn't drastically uprade their team there.

Which then leaves Bourgault, a B prospect, a first and a second for Tomas Novak, who's a good player but who's not awesome and again, he's another pending UFA.

I believe Edmonton is trading too much here

The oilers also gain around 450k in capspace with this move. They could also gain more if carrier is retained more. I think Novak will go for a higher then normal price due to the fact he only makes 800k

I think Novak would probably fall a little below the Dylan Strome extension. Somewhere in the $4-$5 million for 5 years range

Curious in what ways you see Carrier and Ceci as equals.

I'd be more interested in this if Carrier comes extended, he would be a great fit with Nurse.

Sure, Novak is a bargain at that price, but the above, IMO, is a gross overpayment.

I believe Borugault, Ceci and a 2nd for Novak and Carrier would be closer (EDM would likely have to add a third).

Just the fact that I don't think in an ideal world any of them would play 20 minutes a night. I believe both are best suited for a number 4-5 role, which implies playing 17-18-19 minutes a night (which is what Carrier's been doing so far this season).

Supposedly the number that Novak's camp and the Preds are around is something in the 4-5m range for 4 years. It sounds like his camp wants it at the top of that and Trotz and the Preds would prefer less.

Truth of the matter is Novak probably wants to test free agency if he gets traded and doesn't go on to win the cup or something. He's 26 and this next contract might be his only chance to cash in big, so he goes to market to see what the highest bids are.

As for the trade I think Nashville would decline because they could potentially get better packages trading both guys separately, and you have to consider they're in a playoff spot. So it will take an overpayment to get players off the roster.

I more so mean like what aspects make you think he isn't a top 4 dman?
He's a great transition defender, in zone defender and puck mover. Pretty elite skating and shot blocking, zone exit is fairly close to that as well.
Also his TOI has been consistently going up (~17 mins at the start of the year and ~19:15 now).

I see Carrier as a pretty big upgrade on Ceci tbh and I think EDM could swoop in and grab him when his value is very low cause he seems to be getting better and is trending up quickly.

Yes I would tend to agree he would be an uprade but not an enormous one and as I stated, Ceci's got term while Carrier doesn't.