I'm sure Carolina could beat that offer for Mika

let's make a deal

Sure

Necas+1st for Mika

I think it's a good start a minimum

It's more just basic framework/types of players I could see them making these moves for. Probably not great values from either end, but just ideas.

Fun trades for the core. Feel like all of them could actually happen if it came to it.

All of your UFA signings are pretty heavily undervalued. Right now most people have Montour at 7M+, Domi at 4M+, & after Jeannot being made available I'd put my mortgage on Stamkos staying w/ the Bolts, so it'd probably take 7M+ to sway him as well.

Love the overall ideas though.

An older more expensive player without the defensive side of the game? Why do the leafs do this?

NYR accept but isn't Carolina moving Necas due to cap? Mika is making $8.5M.

Again, just ideas, not saying they will happen. But player types/contract similarities are what make it more of a possibility in my opinion. Panarin's defense during the regular season was extremely underrated this season (the back check anyways). Plus this is more of a change of scenery type trade for both guys, this trade has been in the rumors for over a year now. Offensively Panarin has been statistically better than Marner based on point totals (that's where the balance comes in, age vs slightly less offensive production player).

I'm not so sure it's that simple of a move for the Rangers either though. I think they need a guaranteed first line player coming back/a gamer who will show up during the playoffs. Necas is too similar of a player to Mika in my opinion. If it was for a Brady Tkachuk type player, I could see it.

Necas is a 25-year-old who can play first line RW with NYR and the 1st is additional bonus. NYR would also open like $2M in cap. They definitely take it.

I'm not entirely sure Necas is that guy who will show up during the playoffs. He has been non-existent too many playoffs in a row that the resemblance to Mika is uncanny. It's almost like what Florida did with the Huberdeau trade. That's more the premise the rangers would need. A gritty guy who can dominate in the playoffs, I'm not quite convinced Necas is that different of a player to Mika in comparison. I get the first round pick, but that's still iffy from my end (late 1st again). If they were to include Jack Drury, that would get me to come around a little more.

At this point a lateral move for Zibanejad is worth it to me. They get younger, faster, save cap, and get a 1st. It prolongs their window.

I am assuming a signing for Stamkos is still in play then even after a trade like this?

We're moving him because he really isn't a fit with our system and Mika is a much better fit for RBA system

Yep, especially if they trade Kakko and Trouba. Stamkos will make Zibanejad look like a scrub comparing their playoff production.