It would make way more sense without retention IMO. The incentive for them to trade Dubois would be to rid themselves of his 8.5M$ cap hit, but in this case theyre only saving 1M with you sending Anderson back, and are getting significantly worse

This is pushing into borderline HOF worthy territory. I mean HOF of delusion.

I think LA’s motivations extend beyond year 1 cap.

Only motivation for MTL is to rid one of Anderson or Gallagher in the deal. And they won’t bring in PLD at a cap hit above Suzuki for everyone’s sake.

So a big part of the motivation for LA is avoiding the long term cap hit, however minimal those will be, in exchange for getting something for PLD.

To be honest, if Spence is outpriced, I wouldn’t mind the idea of trading all those assets they gave up for PLD for Struble a great young G and a cheap RHS #6Dman. They slot really well

The Kings easily decline

I’m a disinterested third party! lol. Just dopey not delusional

It’s a MTL deal or a buyout so I guess you’re saying LA chooses buyout! I totally agree. But this is the type of deal I could see working for both sides.

Well, if that is the type of deal, the Kings easily pass on that and Rob Blake already ruled out a possible buy-out of his contract... That said, the Kings better build a good line with him

He said no buyout? Wild. I would never enter the next season with a roster that good and a cancer that obvious

Their motivations would extend past 1 year which is why this deal doesnt really make any kind sense for them. PLD is flawed but is still the best player in the deal, and spence is like you say the second best player. The only incentive the kings should have to trade the first and second best player in the deal is for a pretty decent amount of salary cap relief, but they are getting none of that with the retention and anderson going back the other way.

PLDs cap hit poses a way bigger issue in the short term than it does the long term imo, cap will continue to grow throughout the duration of the deal and the cap hit % will continue to shrink as a result, so by year 4 that total cap will not be as crippling as it is now. The kings should be trading him for salary relief over the next 3-4 years imo, which theyre getting none of in this deal, while simultaneously giving up a 2nd pair RD who can be cost-controlled for a couple more seasons. I think if there was something based around dvorak for PLD with no retention that might get some more traction (but the habs would probably need to add still), but the habs are going to have to take on some cap risk if they want him for cheap.

LMAO, you do realize that the Kings are saving waaayyyyy more than that right?! Its 1 mil for the next 3 years then 6.5 mil for the final 4 years, that's right Anderson has 4 years less on his contract than Dubois does. In total the Kings are saving 26 mil not just 1 mil as you seem to think

You mean cancer by zodiac sign ?
Well, I personally think PLD can work out with the Kings if he has some decent wingers on his line. He was mostly centering the third line with Laferriere on RW (rookie season), Anderson-Dolan on LW, who is not NHL-level, guys like Kaliyev who is not working out with the team and partly Grundstrom or a few games Lizotte, who are also not known as top 6 wingers.
That being said, his role was not clear all season long and guys were shuffled around on his line.
He surely produced way below expectations and surely has to improve, but in the end of the day, the Kings need to provide him also with the chance to show, what they'd expect out of him.

Actually, the Kings shouldn't have kept Blake as a GM and would be probably in a better position, if they replaced him. But the discussion about Blake is a very different one...

yes but, them getting out from the next 4 years is more important than the total 8 imo, the cap hit at 8.5 million becomes less of an issue the more time passes so getting more instant cap relief while they have a competive team should be the goal. If it was only about saving total $$ they would just buy him out and not take back any contracts and not give up a quality young RD in the process

They keep Dubois genius one off year doesn't instantly make him someone they trade or buyout

Oh I agree, I was just saying the 1 mil savings was not accurate. Personally, I think Montreal would be interested in acquiring PLD without retention or sending Anderson back. I think they would be more likely to send back Dvorak + Primeau + Struble + 2nd. Many on here seem to confuse cap dump with not working in the current system/lineup

By zodiak sign exactly

Blake is the wrong guy to make the PLD call. I personally don’t like holding PLD long term and this summer is the only chance at the 1/3 buyout. So it’s a unique short timeline issue.

But assuming a new GM would also hold, I think you’re right that building a real like around him and calling it L2 internally would make a big difference for PLD.

But again, cancer, he should have been able to work hard regardless of his minutes and role. He’s not that guy. I’d rather buyout than hold given the 1/3 cost. And more than both I’d rather do a deal like this one and just make the salary retention the cost.

I tried to design it so they won the Spence for cheap young depth side of the deal, which I think they did. And then threw in PLD and retained for Anderson part.