05 Apr 2022 23:52:11
Anaheim: John Gibson ( hasn't produced over a 9.04 sv% the past 3 seasons but has a strong pedigree )

New Jersey: Blackwood, Zacha and 2nd

Anaheim gets a goalie whose age better suits their core and a solid versatile middle 6 forward who is priced out of New Jersey. Gibson can help bring the Devils out of a rebuild.

New Jersey: Ty Smith

Detroit: Zadina and 2nd

Or

Hronek

Devils have Hughes and Hamilton as offensive dman which makes Smith redundant. Zadina hasn't progressed as expected and doesn't have the confidence of the coach but he still has potential and is solid in his own end. Hronek would replace Subban on the right side. The Red Wings could use 1 more offensive dman. Smith is young and would be an excellent long term option on the 2nd pp.

06 Apr 2022 19:13:11
I like the reasoning. Nicely thought out.

13 Apr 2022 22:25:44
Wow. that's a pretty big overpay by NJ. I guess I'm a little late with my "disagree" vote, but put me down as an "easy no" on behalf of NJ.

13 Apr 2022 23:43:02
Chickenfoot Blackwood has been awful i'd say his value for me is a 2nd so Zacha and 2 2nds for Gibson to me is not a huge overpay considering his track record.

14 Apr 2022 14:43:54
Chickenfoot nailed it.

14 Apr 2022 17:03:43
Hey VB, your opinion is as valid as anyone's. I just have a different opinion.

15 Apr 2022 18:28:05
I feel like the Oilers proposals have been way bigger for Gibson. Skinner, McLeod and a 1st? Wouldn’t want to lose any of those pieces but Gibson would be perfect for Edmonton.

18 Apr 2022 16:03:15
Blackwood > Skinner
Zacha >> McLeod

Skinner could turn out better than Blackwood in the long run but at this point he's unproven.

Gibson really isn't much better (if at all) than Blackwood either. Sure he had some good years but the Ducks were pretty good team then. The last 4 years their stats have been similar.

Blackwood, Zacha and a 2nd is better than Skinner, McLeod and a first. Not a whole lot better but still better. Either package would be an overpayment for Gibson.

NJ probably prefers to keep their younger much cheaper and about as good goalie anyhow. Even in a one for one trade. Edmonton might give up Skinner or a first for him but not both.

18 Apr 2022 16:39:02
I upped the pick to a 1st because the two Oilers are less proven. There both younger and have similar upsides as the Devils. Skinner has a small sample size but after this season I wouldn’t be surprised if he has equal value to Blackwood. McLeod might not end up being as good as Zacha but he definitely has 2nd/ 3rd line 40+ potential. Zacha hasn’t actually reached 40 points yet. I think getting Gibson would be huge for Edmonton more so than New Jersey but maybe your right the package could be too much.

18 Apr 2022 17:33:10
Speaking from a Flames PoV I'd trade more for Zacha than I would for Gibson or Blackwood.

The Flames need a good second/ third line center with Monahan performing so poorly the last few years and Backlund getting up there in age. Zacha is big, fast and skilled, a former 1st round pick too. I think he just needs a change of scenery, a real opportunity to play center with skilled wingers and a coach like Sutter to reach his potential.

I proposed several trades for Zacha here before.

18 Apr 2022 19:39:29
McLeod is big, fast and skilled. I picked the two oilers because I thought it was the most comparable to VB’s trade. Regardless you think it’s an overpay which makes me think Oilers really need to clear some cap to try and land Gibson!

19 Apr 2022 07:25:19
Oilers are probably going to sign forward Andrei Kuzmenko out of the KHL next year. If they do they probably won't be able to resign Kane too without dumping a few players.

Kassian and Barrie would make the most sense to go but that might not be enough to resign Kane plus RFAs Puljujarvi and Yamamoto far less add a 6.7M goalie too. That's assuming they let pending UFA Koskinen walk to free up another 4.5 mil too.

So Kassian, Barrie, Koskinen and which other players? Kane alone would do it but unless there's an off ice / locker room problem with him he's one guy they should want to keep.

20 Apr 2022 18:13:08
I think Kassian and Barrie are move able. Archibald, Turris and Russell combine for 4.4M that will be gone. It’s not until next year they lose Klefbom, Lucic, Sekera, Keith, Smith and Shore.