Penguins Trade Deadline: Buyers and Sellers?

[dark_forces]

I feel like EK has been much better this season, and he's been getting better as it's progressed. He might not be at 100 point level but he's been driving offense really well, and his usual defensive lapses aside, he's been as solid as he's capable of in his own end. I thought he had a good game last night, too. I would love having him if the Pens were in the top 4 or 5 teams in the East but since they aren't, I see his value increasing as this season moves along. Combine the cap going up, only 2 years left on a deal where the Pens could retain, and they may just fetch some good assets for him either at the deadline or in the summer.

I've really liked Rakell all season. I've said before that I'd lean toward keeping him (for this season anyway) unless someone comes in with a fantastic offer.

I can live with EK for another season, probably, assuming they find the right defense partner for him. That's a big key. His offense from the back end remains valuable despite his carelessness defensively, especially with Letang's offense rapidly drying up.
I would also lean toward keeping Rakell for the rest of the year. Once the offseason hits, and free agency opens, a larger field of suitors will be available.

[EndO FanEra]

I feel like EK has been much better this season, and he's been getting better as it's progressed. He might not be at 100 point level but he's been driving offense really well, and his usual defensive lapses aside, he's been as solid as he's capable of in his own end. I thought he had a good game last night, too. I would love having him if the Pens were in the top 4 or 5 teams in the East but since they aren't, I see his value increasing as this season moves along. Combine the cap going up, only 2 years left on a deal where the Pens could retain, and they may just fetch some good assets for him either at the deadline or in the summer.

I've really liked Rakell all season. I've said before that I'd lean toward keeping him (for this season anyway) unless someone comes in with a fantastic offer.

I can live with EK for another season, probably, assuming they find the right defense partner for him. That's a big key. His offense from the back end remains valuable despite his carelessness defensively, especially with Letang's offense rapidly drying up.
I would also lean toward keeping Rakell for the rest of the year. Once the offseason hits, and free agency opens, a larger field of suitors will be available.

I can live with EK for another season as long as Sully is gone. He plays with a restrictor plate on in Sully's system which completely neuters his best assets. His first few weeks in Pens sweater compared to the rest of his tenure is night and day. I'm sure there are multiple factors involved in that, but there's no doubt the "Sully effect" is in full force with him.

Then again, if Sully is back next season, I guess I don't care about EK that much one way or the other. No point in caring about roster make-up if we're stuck with another year of his decision making.

That said, if we can get a 1st w/ retention or a 2nd without retention in an offer, I'd take it and run.

[ahawk9]

So would I. It's not that I don't l ike the player but he serves no purpose with this team in its current situation.

[Puck-Lurker]

So would I. It's not that I don't l ike the player but he serves no purpose with this team in its current situation.

I think the goals of the organization itself - as reported by Dubas and others - are self-contradictory and problematic. I'm fervently hoping Dubas shifts to plan B and does more than just window-dressing rebuilding.

If that means trading one Rakell and Rust. I think that is a healthy move. But without getting robbed; a 1st rounder and top prospect. These guys are very consistent players with a lot of tools in their kit to help a team win. If the return is a 2nd plus top prospect -- pass. A late 1st plus some meh prospect, pass.
I'd like to get a fair return; if for cap reasons, it's a deal that sends more players up and down (see the Pettersson deal), I can live with that. Say.. Rakell, Puustinen and a 5th for some dude with 1 more year on his deal (and some cap hit), a young NHL'er (in the Tomasino mold) plus a mid 1st and 3rd? I don't know, I can appreciate good hockey trades. I think the Pettersson deal was just that.

I'd be fine trading Bunting, if we can trade either Rakell or Rust. Prospects and picks for him.

Karlsson will be very hard to trade without retention, even with the cap increase, 10M is massive. But if Pens were to eat 5M of Karlsson's contract, say, I'm expecting a 1st, good and a middling prospect, a useful young'ish (22-26) NHL player. Throw in Beauvillier and a 3rd. I dunno... don't think teams want to pay nearly as much for Karlsson even at half cap.

[Michael74]

I'm seeing speculation that Grzelcyk would only garner a mid rounder. At a minimum we should get a 2hd rounder. But if say it's Grzelcyk and a late 5th (we have three 5ths this draft) for a 2hd preferably in '26, that'll do! Anything less should be unacceptable. It's a sellers market and likely the biggest chip we'll part with by the trade deadline. Gotta make it count.

[FLPensFan]

I'm seeing speculation that Grzelcyk would only garner a mid rounder. At a minimum we should get a 2hd rounder. But if say it's Grzelcyk and a late 5th (we have three 5ths this draft) for a 2hd preferably in '26, that'll do! Anything less should be unacceptable. It's a sellers market and likely the biggest chip we'll part with by the trade deadline. Gotta make it count.

I would suspect Grzelcyk should net a 3rd. I don't know if anyone will cough up a 2nd if we throw in an extra pick. It is possible, but I wouldn't bank on it. I think it will really depend on who is available out in the market. There aren't a lot of solid UFA rental d-men out there. Ristolainen isn't a UFA, but there was talk Philly would trade him. That's changed to them wanting to keep him. Provorov in Columbus is a UFA, but they've said they want to extend him and them being in the playoff race may mean they keep him no matter what.

Biggest help to driving up his price is other options coming off the market. But, you sell on Grzelcyk no matter what. The choices are trade him, let him walk for ZERO assets, or re-sign him. He's had a good year, this team isn't making the playoffs. Grzelcyk would be stupid to re-up here instead of testing the market. Someone else will offer him more money than we could or should offer.

Get what you can for him. He's not a blue chip asset.

[FLPensFan]

So would I. It's not that I don't l ike the player but he serves no purpose with this team in its current situation.

I think the goals of the organization itself - as reported by Dubas and others - are self-contradictory and problematic. I'm fervently hoping Dubas shifts to plan B and does more than just window-dressing rebuilding.

If that means trading one Rakell and Rust. I think that is a healthy move. But without getting robbed; a 1st rounder and top prospect. These guys are very consistent players with a lot of tools in their kit to help a team win. If the return is a 2nd plus top prospect -- pass. A late 1st plus some meh prospect, pass.
I'd like to get a fair return; if for cap reasons, it's a deal that sends more players up and down (see the Pettersson deal), I can live with that. Say.. Rakell, Puustinen and a 5th for some dude with 1 more year on his deal (and some cap hit), a young NHL'er (in the Tomasino mold) plus a mid 1st and 3rd? I don't know, I can appreciate good hockey trades. I think the Pettersson deal was just that.

I'd be fine trading Bunting, if we can trade either Rakell or Rust. Prospects and picks for him.

Karlsson will be very hard to trade without retention, even with the cap increase, 10M is massive. But if Pens were to eat 5M of Karlsson's contract, say, I'm expecting a 1st, good and a middling prospect, a useful young'ish (22-26) NHL player. Throw in Beauvillier and a 3rd. I dunno... don't think teams want to pay nearly as much for Karlsson even at half cap.

The feeling I get from Yohe is, Dubas felt compelled to try and continue the Hextall route his first year here...skirt the line between now and the future. After last year's results, the sentiment is Dubas is no longer trying to please everyone. He's already on Plan B. While Jarry contract, Graves contract, and EK65 trade were poor decisions last year (and EK65 is hard to judge as truly poor for the sole reason of the dead weight Dubas jettisoned in that deal)....I don't think Dubas has made a single bad move this year.

--He traded for Hayes. We may not care for the older player, but he's been better than expected. The true net gain was initially a 2nd round pick, and then Dubas doubled down and turned that 2nd in 2025 to a 2nd in the better draft, 2026, and picked up an additional 3rd rounder...all for a 5th round pick. BIG WIN.

--He got Cody Glass. Again, you don't have to love the player, but he gave up a minor leaguer who was never going to see the light of day at the NHL level, and he got Glass, a 3rd and a 6th in return. BIG WIN.

--He got McGroarty for Yager. Simply going by Athletic prospect rankings, the Penguins upgraded 15 spots. McGroarty ranked 44th prospect by Athletic, Yager 61st. McGroarty has already played a handful of NHL games before Yager. He should be on our roster next year. Doubtful Yager goes straight to NHL without some pro AHL experience first. BIG WIN.

--He got Tomasino for a 4th. BIG WIN

--He got a 1st round pick for 2 expiring UFAs, plus two other serviceable contracts in Desharnais and Heinen, who we can keep this year or flip them this year or next year. GRAND SLAM!

--He brought back POJ for nothing.

--He signed Beauvillier and Grzelcyk to cheap 1 year deals, which he can likely use to gain more picks via trade at the deadline.

--He just plucked a 23 year old smooth skating, defense first, physical hitter d-man off of waivers from Utah.

I don't see a bad move in the bunch this year. He's on Plan B. Trading Rakell at the deadline for a solid offer that includes a 2026 1st or 2026 2nd and top prospect/young NHLer will be icing on the cake.

[Puck-Lurker]

So would I. It's not that I don't l ike the player but he serves no purpose with this team in its current situation.

I think the goals of the organization itself - as reported by Dubas and others - are self-contradictory and problematic. I'm fervently hoping Dubas shifts to plan B and does more than just window-dressing rebuilding.

If that means trading one Rakell and Rust. I think that is a healthy move. But without getting robbed; a 1st rounder and top prospect. These guys are very consistent players with a lot of tools in their kit to help a team win. If the return is a 2nd plus top prospect -- pass. A late 1st plus some meh prospect, pass.
I'd like to get a fair return; if for cap reasons, it's a deal that sends more players up and down (see the Pettersson deal), I can live with that. Say.. Rakell, Puustinen and a 5th for some dude with 1 more year on his deal (and some cap hit), a young NHL'er (in the Tomasino mold) plus a mid 1st and 3rd? I don't know, I can appreciate good hockey trades. I think the Pettersson deal was just that.

I'd be fine trading Bunting, if we can trade either Rakell or Rust. Prospects and picks for him.

Karlsson will be very hard to trade without retention, even with the cap increase, 10M is massive. But if Pens were to eat 5M of Karlsson's contract, say, I'm expecting a 1st, good and a middling prospect, a useful young'ish (22-26) NHL player. Throw in Beauvillier and a 3rd. I dunno... don't think teams want to pay nearly as much for Karlsson even at half cap.

The feeling I get from Yohe is, Dubas felt compelled to try and continue the Hextall route his first year here...skirt the line between now and the future. After last year's results, the sentiment is Dubas is no longer trying to please everyone. He's already on Plan B. While Jarry contract, Graves contract, and EK65 trade were poor decisions last year (and EK65 is hard to judge as truly poor for the sole reason of the dead weight Dubas jettisoned in that deal)....I don't think Dubas has made a single bad move this year.

--He traded for Hayes. We may not care for the older player, but he's been better than expected. The true net gain was initially a 2nd round pick, and then Dubas doubled down and turned that 2nd in 2025 to a 2nd in the better draft, 2026, and picked up an additional 3rd rounder...all for a 5th round pick. BIG WIN.

--He got Cody Glass. Again, you don't have to love the player, but he gave up a minor leaguer who was never going to see the light of day at the NHL level, and he got Glass, a 3rd and a 6th in return. BIG WIN.

--He got McGroarty for Yager. Simply going by Athletic prospect rankings, the Penguins upgraded 15 spots. McGroarty ranked 44th prospect by Athletic, Yager 61st. McGroarty has already played a handful of NHL games before Yager. He should be on our roster next year. Doubtful Yager goes straight to NHL without some pro AHL experience first. BIG WIN.

--He got Tomasino for a 4th. BIG WIN

--He got a 1st round pick for 2 expiring UFAs, plus two other serviceable contracts in Desharnais and Heinen, who we can keep this year or flip them this year or next year. GRAND SLAM!

--He brought back POJ for nothing.

--He signed Beauvillier and Grzelcyk to cheap 1 year deals, which he can likely use to gain more picks via trade at the deadline.

--He just plucked a 23 year old smooth skating, defense first, physical hitter d-man off of waivers from Utah.

I don't see a bad move in the bunch this year. He's on Plan B. Trading Rakell at the deadline for a solid offer that includes a 2026 1st or 2026 2nd and top prospect/young NHLer will be icing on the cake.

Oh for sure. Nice moves this year. Much of my criticism for Dubas stems from last season where he bought in (or was made to buy in) the one more run idea. I can give him a pass for that, even if the execution was somewhat poor.

The other thing I'm critical about is his keeping his distance to roster management. HE is in the end responsible for keeping up Nieto (I can grind the Acciari axe but I won't). HE is in the end responsible for leaving other players down in WBS and worse (I'll also leave the Puljujärvi case out of it). HE is responsible - at least in part - for keeping Sullivan employed.
I'm disappointed in Dubas in these areas.

But the transactions this season? They're fine.

[ahawk9]

I agree that Dubas has been really good in his moves this year. I think last year he really tried to walk a fine line and placate upper management because - for whatever reason - they thought the team was still on the cusp of competing for a Cup.

Now that we're nearly at the end of the third straight year without a playoff berth he's begun shrewdly collecting assets in the form of draft picks and younger players. It's not splashy but it's been about as effective as we could have hoped for considering the situation they were in a couple of years ago coming out of Hextall's fiasco.

He may only make a couple of small moves at the deadline (Beauvillier & Gzelcyk almost certainly, and maybe another minor move or two) but I think next summer is when he can start to examine Rust, Rakell, EK, and even Jarry/Graves. He'll have enough assets that those albatross contracts may be tradeable in some way. All retention spots will be open after this season (assuming he doesn't pull something with EK at the deadline), so KD will have flexibillity and cap space beginning next season. Should be interesting to see what he does. Plus, Malkin's $6.1 million off the books after next season (in addition to the long-awaited end of the JMFJ buyout window). And... Hayes, who's been pretty solid, should be a good trade chip at next deadline, as well as Heinen. Options are beginning to shake loose. They just had to navigate the end of the delusion of Cup contention.

[Cow_Master66]

I agree that Dubas has been really good in his moves this year. I think last year he really tried to walk a fine line and placate upper management because - for whatever reason - they thought the team was still on the cusp of competing for a Cup.

Now that we're nearly at the end of the third straight year without a playoff berth he's begun shrewdly collecting assets in the form of draft picks and younger players. It's not splashy but it's been about as effective as we could have hoped for considering the situation they were in a couple of years ago coming out of Hextall's fiasco.

He may only make a couple of small moves at the deadline (Beauvillier & Gzelcyk almost certainly, and maybe another minor move or two) but I think next summer is when he can start to examine Rust, Rakell, EK, and even Jarry/Graves. He'll have enough assets that those albatross contracts may be tradeable in some way. All retention spots will be open after this season (assuming he doesn't pull something with EK at the deadline), so KD will have flexibillity and cap space beginning next season. Should be interesting to see what he does. Plus, Malkin's $6.1 million off the books after next season (in addition to the long-awaited end of the JMFJ buyout window). And... Hayes, who's been pretty solid, should be a good trade chip at next deadline, as well as Heinen. Options are beginning to shake loose. They just had to navigate the end of the delusion of Cup contention.

With the market this year, I'm really hoping he moves some of the bigger assets out this season for picks (preferably 2026+).

[KG]

Besides the pending UFA’s that have value I would also look to move Bunting.

He only has 1 year left on his deal and isn’t the type of player that ages well or we should re-sign.

I could definitely see playoff teams looking for a player like him come deadline time.

Definitely look to sell high on Rakell. Definitely try to make a move for Karlsson. Same with Acciari.

[FLPensFan]

Besides the pending UFA’s that have value I would also look to move Bunting.

He only has 1 year left on his deal and isn’t the type of player that ages well or we should re-sign.

I could definitely see playoff teams looking for a player like him come deadline time.

Definitely look to sell high on Rakell. Definitely try to make a move for Karlsson. Same with Acciari.

I agree with trying to sell on Bunting. I think at least one of their top 6 should be moved at the deadline, and potentially a 2nd at the draft. My preference would be move Rakell now, if the price is right, and Bunting at the draft.

[Pens4Life]

If we move EK to contender, we shouldnt retain more than 3M under no circumstance, even 3M is a lot, one solid player.

[dark_forces]

Besides the pending UFA’s that have value I would also look to move Bunting.

He only has 1 year left on his deal and isn’t the type of player that ages well or we should re-sign.

I could definitely see playoff teams looking for a player like him come deadline time.

Definitely look to sell high on Rakell. Definitely try to make a move for Karlsson. Same with Acciari.

I agree with trying to sell on Bunting. I think at least one of their top 6 should be moved at the deadline, and potentially a 2nd at the draft. My preference would be move Rakell now, if the price is right, and Bunting at the draft.

I would listen on Bunting, but wouldn't give him away.

[Daniel]

Besides the pending UFA’s that have value I would also look to move Bunting.

He only has 1 year left on his deal and isn’t the type of player that ages well or we should re-sign.

I could definitely see playoff teams looking for a player like him come deadline time.

Definitely look to sell high on Rakell. Definitely try to make a move for Karlsson. Same with Acciari.

I agree with trying to sell on Bunting. I think at least one of their top 6 should be moved at the deadline, and potentially a 2nd at the draft. My preference would be move Rakell now, if the price is right, and Bunting at the draft.

Bunting seems like the kind of guy playoff teams tend to look for at the deadline.

[ahawk9]

I forgot that Acciari still has a year left after this one. He's probably someone who could be dealt for something (late-rounder) at next year's deadline. He's fine as a player but three years at 2 mil. per? That's a lot of term and dough for a 4th liner.

[EndO FanEra]

I hope KD can find a trade for at least 1 of Rakell, EK, or Bunting at the deadline. I think at least 2 of those guys will be gone by the start of next season anyway, and those are our candidates to bring back a 1st rounder/high-end prospect, or a 2nd rounder/decent prospect in Bunting's case.

Everyone else will be mid to lower-level picks. Not that they don't matter, but if all we get back at this deadline is a 3-6 round pick for Beau and Grz, I think that will be a bit of a disappointment. For once, we have some expendable higher-end talent in a seller's market, and I hope we can take advantage of those circumstances.

That said, if we're not getting a 1st+ for Rakell etc., then I agree holding out until the offseason is the best course of action.

[EndO FanEra]

A question for those that know more about the LAK than me:

If LAK offers up a 2025 1st and B/C level prospect for Rakell or Clarke/Greentree and a 2026 2nd, which would be preferred?

We don't get the 1st RP in the second deal, but we get a former 1st Rd prospect that is closer to NHL ready, and a 2nd in what is generally considered a pretty deep draft compared to this year.

The greedy, impatient me wants the 1st so we can use in the upcoming draft. But, looking at the big picture, I tend to lean towards the more developed (sure thing) of a prospect & the 2nd rounder. We can still shoot for a 2026 1st in an EK deal.

[Puck-Lurker]

I prefer the second deal, though I'd try to upgrade the 2nd to a 1st by throwing something in if need be.

[Victor]

A question for those that know more about the LAK than me:

If LAK offers up a 2025 1st and B/C level prospect for Rakell or Clarke/Greentree and a 2026 2nd, which would be preferred?

We don't get the 1st RP in the second deal, but we get a former 1st Rd prospect that is closer to NHL ready, and a 2nd in what is generally considered a pretty deep draft compared to this year.

The greedy, impatient me wants the 1st so we can use in the upcoming draft. But, looking at the big picture, I tend to lean towards the more developed (sure thing) of a prospect & the 2nd rounder. We can still shoot for a 2026 1st in an EK deal.

I'd choose Clarke and 2026 2nd. He's NHL ready already. I'm not sure if LA would do this though. He's a potential #1D. He's on pace for ~40 points in his first full NHL season averaging little less than 17 minutes of TOI. His icetime decreased over the season though and he recently was a healthy scratch for two games. Only fair to say he's still adjusting to the NHL level. He plays about 2 minutes on the PP per game and played barely any SH time this season.

His career path is interesting. He played pro hockey in Slovakia in 20-21, which was his draft year, and then played one more full season in the OHL. In 2022-23 he played 9 games for the Kings, 5 games in the AHL and then had 8 points in 7 games at the WJC (this was Connor Bedard's year). He was then reassigned back to the OHL and lit up the league with 61 points in 31 games. He was named to both the OHL and CHL's First All-Star Teams despite playing only half the season.

If he's ever available, and Dubas somehow manages to trade for him, I hope that would mean one of Letang or EK is gone... and we all know it would be EK. There's not enough ice time for Letang, EK and Clarke if you want him to keep developing.

[thehockeyguru]

A question for those that know more about the LAK than me:

If LAK offers up a 2025 1st and B/C level prospect for Rakell or Clarke/Greentree and a 2026 2nd, which would be preferred?

We don't get the 1st RP in the second deal, but we get a former 1st Rd prospect that is closer to NHL ready, and a 2nd in what is generally considered a pretty deep draft compared to this year.

The greedy, impatient me wants the 1st so we can use in the upcoming draft. But, looking at the big picture, I tend to lean towards the more developed (sure thing) of a prospect & the 2nd rounder. We can still shoot for a 2026 1st in an EK deal.

I'd choose Clarke and 2026 2nd. He's NHL ready already. I'm not sure if LA would do this though. He's a potential #1D. He's on pace for ~40 points in his first full NHL season averaging little less than 17 minutes of TOI. His icetime decreased over the season though and he recently was a healthy scratch for two games. Only fair to say he's still adjusting to the NHL level. He plays about 2 minutes on the PP per game and played barely any SH time this season.

His career path is interesting. He played pro hockey in Slovakia in 20-21, which was his draft year, and then played one more full season in the OHL. In 2022-23 he played 9 games for the Kings, 5 games in the AHL and then had 8 points in 7 games at the WJC (this was Connor Bedard's year). He was then reassigned back to the OHL and lit up the league with 61 points in 31 games. He was named to both the OHL and CHL's First All-Star Teams despite playing only half the season.

If he's ever available, and Dubas somehow manages to trade for him, I hope that would mean one of Letang or EK is gone... and we all know it would be EK. There's not enough ice time for Letang, EK and Clarke if you want him to keep developing.

I'd love Clarke, I just do see LAK doing it. Him and Pickering would be fun to watch grow

[KG]

A question for those that know more about the LAK than me:

If LAK offers up a 2025 1st and B/C level prospect for Rakell or Clarke/Greentree and a 2026 2nd, which would be preferred?

We don't get the 1st RP in the second deal, but we get a former 1st Rd prospect that is closer to NHL ready, and a 2nd in what is generally considered a pretty deep draft compared to this year.

The greedy, impatient me wants the 1st so we can use in the upcoming draft. But, looking at the big picture, I tend to lean towards the more developed (sure thing) of a prospect & the 2nd rounder. We can still shoot for a 2026 1st in an EK deal.

No way LA would move Clarke for Rakell. I think we could maybe get Greentree, a cap dump and a 2nd or something like that though. Which wouldn't be a bad deal. Greentree is trending nicely in the OHL.

[Michael74]

I'm seeing speculation that Grzelcyk would only garner a mid rounder. At a minimum we should get a 2hd rounder. But if say it's Grzelcyk and a late 5th (we have three 5ths this draft) for a 2hd preferably in '26, that'll do! Anything less should be unacceptable. It's a sellers market and likely the biggest chip we'll part with by the trade deadline. Gotta make it count.

I would suspect Grzelcyk should net a 3rd. I don't know if anyone will cough up a 2nd if we throw in an extra pick. It is possible, but I wouldn't bank on it. I think it will really depend on who is available out in the market. There aren't a lot of solid UFA rental d-men out there. Ristolainen isn't a UFA, but there was talk Philly would trade him. That's changed to them wanting to keep him. Provorov in Columbus is a UFA, but they've said they want to extend him and them being in the playoff race may mean they keep him no matter what.

Biggest help to driving up his price is other options coming off the market. But, you sell on Grzelcyk no matter what. The choices are trade him, let him walk for ZERO assets, or re-sign him. He's had a good year, this team isn't making the playoffs. Grzelcyk would be stupid to re-up here instead of testing the market. Someone else will offer him more money than we could or should offer.

Get what you can for him. He's not a blue chip asset.

Based on the market I think a late 2hd is a very fair return. Particularly if we add a later pick. It'll be curious as to where it ends up but I feel confident we'll garner a late 2hd or equivalent. No question you sell him. All you need is one GM to overpay or better yet a bidding war. Both are very likely scenarios.

[dark_forces]

I forgot that Acciari still has a year left after this one. He's probably someone who could be dealt for something (late-rounder) at next year's deadline. He's fine as a player but three years at 2 mil. per? That's a lot of term and dough for a 4th liner.

I could see him departing this deadline. He's the type of player old school hockey types love. I wouldn't be shocked at all to see him go to a team who has a notion they need a "cheap-to-acquire" grinder/penalty killer for their 4th line.

[FLPensFan]

A question for those that know more about the LAK than me:

If LAK offers up a 2025 1st and B/C level prospect for Rakell or Clarke/Greentree and a 2026 2nd, which would be preferred?

We don't get the 1st RP in the second deal, but we get a former 1st Rd prospect that is closer to NHL ready, and a 2nd in what is generally considered a pretty deep draft compared to this year.

The greedy, impatient me wants the 1st so we can use in the upcoming draft. But, looking at the big picture, I tend to lean towards the more developed (sure thing) of a prospect & the 2nd rounder. We can still shoot for a 2026 1st in an EK deal.

No way LA would move Clarke for Rakell. I think we could maybe get Greentree, a cap dump and a 2nd or something like that though. Which wouldn't be a bad deal. Greentree is trending nicely in the OHL.

I wouldn't say never. LA has a decent pack of defensemen. Doughty, Anderson, and Edmundson are signed for multiple years beyond this one. Gavrikov likely gets a new deal from LA. Then they have Kyle Borrows, Brandt Clarke, Jordan Spence, and Jacob Moverare in the bottom. Ideally, you keep the young guys, but if they are both RD only, and 25 yo Anderson, who is LH, is much better on RD....then they have a decision to make. They can't start 4 RD.

So, if scoring is their primary need, then that could force them to move Spence or Clarke.