I'd have to do more of a review of the top guys in this draft to be sure, but on the surface, that Jackets trade looks pretty plausible. That might be because I like what I've heard about Zeev Buium a lot, tho, and he's projected around that #10 range, so I'd need to review more.

Finally get another top six center and move him for a mediocre one dimensional winger who can't skate?

I hear you! Russo has (sort of) suggested that Rossi might not be in the Wild’s future plans, so I was just thinking about trades that made sense, at least value-wise…

Neither of these trades make sense for the other teams involved.

LA is already loaded at centre and have multiple prospects that can fill in if needed. Between Kopitar, Danault, and Dubois they’re set for the foreseeable future - not to mention Byfield and Turcotte can play centre if needed as well. Why would they add another small centre and give up their 1st and a good young player for that?

Columbus is also loaded with centres and they’re young. They’ve got Fantilli, Sillinger, Jenner, Johnson, Texier, Roslovic, and Kuraly who can all play centre on their roster so again I ask why would they be trading for another one and giving up a top 5 pick?

Texier and KJ aren't centers and Roz is likely on his way out after this season (and he's better on the wing as is). It's plausible for the Jackets if there's someone we like further down the draft order - we've got a lot of high quality kids already so if we can get someone who's already largely developed AND pick up someone else for the future, it works out to be a good deal. Under most circumstances (read: the majority of "trade up" proposals) it'd probably be a bad move, but this one is actually pretty decent.

I didn’t say they were centres, I said they could play centre if needed. They have the skill and experience to do it if it’s needed. & even if they don’t, that leaves Fantilli, Sillinger, and Jenner as your top 3 centres. Rossi would be buried. It just doesn’t seem to fit. If there’s a guy they like further down their board I’m sure there’s a better way to move down and pick up something else that would be useful

At least if the Wild trade Rossi, he'll finally get a chance to play with skilled wingers for more than a cup of coffee.

You want to send us Rossi to move up 6 spots in the draft? I'd for sure take Rossi and Catton/Buium over just Lindstrom/Dickinson/Eiserman. CBJ should smash the accept button IMO, move Jenner and someone else to the wings.

Gaudreau - Fantilli - Laine
Chinakhov - Voronkov - Marchenko
Jenner - Sillinger - Rossi
Texier - Kuraly - Danforth
Nylander/Olivier

That's assuming there's no temporary hitches with development progress for Fantilli and Sillinger and Voronkov (and Rossi as well, frankly), which we all know isn't going to be the case - every kid has those moments where they need to take a step back and regroup. So the extra coverage is useful. And it wouldn't be the first time we've moved Jenner to the wing of another guy playing center so that he can take faceoffs for them while they're learning the rest of the job. He's pretty good at that.

I'd be more concerned about whether or not this makes sense for Minnesota, frankly. Are they that concerned about size down the middle?

EDIT: I will also readily concede that it'd be nicer for us if we were getting back someone like Brodin (or some other experienced good-contract minute-munching LD to mentor our blueline prospects) instead, but there's limits.