Quoting: Riley816
Sabres deal.
Vegas an obvious pass.
Boston close.
Carolina probably too many ufa goalies to take that trade. Skinner should get at least more than 2020 1st and a good prospect at the trade deadline.
Sabres: I think it's a fair offer, but I don't think BUF takes it. I'm going to hope for it all the same. Losing Dunn will hurt, but we have depth on LD, and adding a top 6 C is more beneficial than keeping a PP specialist buried on the 3rd pairing.
Vegas: Yes, it's an obvious dump, but Vegas will be looking for exactly those types of players, and they're worth a 3rd.
Boston: They are rumored to want to part ways with Backes. Steen is on a similar contract. Both have NMCs, which is the biggest impediment to the trade. I'm betting Boston sees Steen, Barbashev and a 3rd as a deal they can't turn down. I'm betting Backes would waive his NMC. And I'm betting Steen is ready to seek greener pastures, and would waive to go to a good team like Boston. Only reason I want to do this is to get a guy with some leadership, decent hands, and toughness on Thomas' wing--because he'll need it. Blues have missed Backes sorely.
Carolina: Betting that Allen's crapping the bed last year didn't kill his perceived value, and that the UFA goalies will choose other destinations. Thompson and Walman are "good prospects". In fact, Thompson was our 3rd best forward prospect before the draft (Bokk probably takes that honor now), and he's certainly our most NHL-ready prospect, having played as many games as he did last year. He wasn't put in a scoring role, so his lack of production shouldn't be held against him. Walman was our best defensive prospect until Dunn came to camp last year and knocked everyone's socks off. Like Schmaltz, Walman is a victim of numbers, but his value hasn't yet diminished. And letting Carolina upgrade their 4th round pick to a 1st in 2020, that's a good deal. I honestly don't think anyone else puts a package like that on the table. The question will be, will Skinner waive his NMC to come to StL. If we have RoR locked up, I absolutely think he does.