Kenny And Stevie Make A Blockbuster

"Say what you want Edmonton Fans but, this is exactly what your team needs (other than maybe a better goalie)."

Oh, I intend to. But first, how exactly do you break down the value on this deal to make it make sense?

I place Bertuzzi’s value at a higher end prospect or a 1st round pick.

Sundqvist’s value is a 2nd round pick +

Maatta’s value is at minimum a 2nd round pick as well.

Edmonton moving Puljujarvi and his $3m (or whatever is left at that point), what does that cost? A 3rd round pick?

And finally Foegele’s deal is likely a cost of a 2nd round pick in itself.

Obviously with trades someone is likely to overpay or be perceived to have overpaid. I honestly cannot tell which is which, here. I think both teams win the trade.

Edmonton gets better in the short term, Detroit gets better in the long term, this is how 99% of deadline deals work. I think Edmonton truly has a shot to win the cup after this trade and could matchup with any team in the league.

Alright. The issues I see with the trade are centered around the valuation of Sundqvist and the 'character' of the trade. To the former point, while I'm not saying he isn't an asset with value, I certainly wouldn't trade a 2nd for him- let alone a 2nd+. Say what you will about his play this year but the fact that remains that he's a 28-yr old, ~30pt rental winger. Even if I assume some higher-level playoff ability (which I don't), I don't think you'll find many similar players getting returns like that. The most I'd value him at is a 3rd, and probably not in '23.

To the latter point, this trade would have EDM sacrificing 3 recent or unspent 1st round picks to acquire 3 rentals (2 of which are complementary players, the 1 impact player is struggling this year) and to free up ~2mil in cap next year (2.75mil - replacement cap hit). Of course, framing matters. I could also frame it as EDM giving that up for a recent near-pt/gm player, a veteran 2nd pair shutdown LD, and a versatile, big-bodied 3RW but the truth exists somewhere in-between.

My point here is that I don't see that truth that lies between our two conceptions of these additions as justifying trading such a massive chunk of the team's future for just a single Cup run. Now, if Bertuzzi had some term left at a reasonable cap hit, maybe there's a discussion to be had (despite his struggles), but he doesn't and EDM doesn't have enough wiggle room cap-wise to retain much of what they'd be acquiring in your scenario. I agree that there's merit to committing assets in a Cup window but it's important to commit to the right targets (Hagel and Paul in Tampa, for example) and, aside from maybe Maatta, I don't see your package including such pieces.

I also don't believe that Puljujarvi's contract is going to cost to move on from, but that's yet to-be-seen.

Thank you for the very well thought out and articulated reply.

I agree with pretty much everything you said except two things:

One, Oskar Sundqvist, while it may not show up on the stat sheet, has been the engine of this team for almost the entire season. He is the epitome of doing the little things that most players don’t. He’s got size at 6’3” and knows how to use it, relentless on puck battles in the open ice or on the boards, effective net front presence in the offensive zone and on the power play. Arguably one of the best penalty killers in the league and puts his body on the line routinely. He also has some offensive upside to his game, he’s no slouch in that department despite his role suggesting otherwise.

Now, I see him as a better version of Calle Jarnkrok and he garnered a 2nd, 4th & 6th round pick at last years deadline. I’m not suggesting that he gets that but if that deal is any indication then he certainly warrants it.

The second thing I disagree with is this total package not warranting the large commitment in assets and draft capital. While acquiring a player like Brandon Hagel, who alone cost two 1st round picks, might be desirable with the term that player would come with - does this type of player bring this team what it needs to get over the hump?

I don’t think so. I don’t even think if the Oilers were to make a similar deal for someone like Bo Horvat, it still won’t get them over the hump. These three players specifically bring a different dynamic than what the Oilers currently have. Grit, relentlessness, physicality, sneaky/unexpected scoring abilities, and their intangibles are off the charts.

Maatta and Sundqvist aren’t ‘sexy’ acquisitions by any means, but they are both the types of additions Stanley Cup contending teams need to make in order to elevate their lineup to that next level. A level, frankly, I’ve never seen this Oiler group play at.

I watch a lot of Oilers games. If I’m home and the Oilers are playing and the Wings aren’t, I’m on NHL Center Ice. Connor McDavid is must see tv and the world needs to see him competing for a Stanley Cup; it’s time. This team needs exactly these 3 types of players and it can take them over the top. I wanna say they could use a goalie but, adding these 3 guys, I think, fixes that too.

While I get the sense we're far apart enough that we won't change one another's opinions, that's fine. I appreciate that you've got a reasoned and high-resolution view of what it is you're trying to get across!

I didn't intend to take issue with any of the players as targets themselves as I get the sense that they all bring the mix of specific skillsets and personality/character that I think EDM could benefit from, but instead it's a philosophical difference in approach to Cup contention. This is what I'd call an "all-in" move and I personally don't believe in those as a matter of principle.

Re: Hagel, I meant that he was the precise right kind of player (fast, very skilled, and hard-working) while also having a contract in-place that enabled Tampa to help keep its contending roster intact. His acquisition allowed them to move on from Palat and retain/lock up far more important pieces with minimal drop-off talent-wise: in other words, he's been the bridge that'll connect their current Cup rosters with their future contending rosters. That kind of player is rarely made available, though.