I doubt Tarasenko costs 6M.
If I'm Minny I'd use the money for a LHD instead anyway.

Merrill is such a lou move

1) Brodin
2) Middleton
3) Chisholm

4-6) Hunt, Lambos, O'Rourke

What do you mean, Minnesota needs a LHD? They don't. We'll take Tarasenko everytime, thank you.

What Minnesota needs is a top-six foward to take over their 2LW spot, they don't need a LHD.

They need good LD. 3-6 on your list are fringe at best NHLers. 2 is a 3rd paid d-man. 1 can't stay healthy and play a full season.

I see your point but Middleton is not a 2LD. I just think there is more value in getting a legit top-4LD with most of that money - take Brendan Dillon for example. Sign him at 3.5 M per and run Brodin-Spurgeon / Dillon-Faber. That's a pretty top-end top4. If you really want that 2LW sign Zucker or Arvi for 3M. Will likely provide production that is pretty similar to Tarasenko at a lower number.

Saying that 3-6 on the list are fringe NHL'ers is exceptionally asinine. None are older than 22 years old, so saying that a prospect that young, particularly a defensive prospect whose not done developing is not or can't be NHL'ers is incredibly foolish at this point.

And 2 is a #4D at worst, despite claims to the contrary, which makes him a 2nd pairing guy. So I don't agree with your analysis in these regards.

1) Minnesota isn't/wouldn't be playing Dillon on the top pairing with Faber. As Faber is Minnesota's 1D, not Spurgeon.

Brodin - Faber
Dillon/Middleton - Spurgeon
Chisholm/Dillon - Bogosian

2) And a Tarasenko would be a much better fit on a 2nd line with Rossi and Zuccarello then either of those players. Minnesota needs an upgrade at 2LW not a lateral move with either Zucker or Arvidsson from Johansson.

They are prospects, correct. It means jack and squat for a NHL roster. They might turn into something sometime in the future, or the might not. Iowa is a tire fire and there isn't enough ice time for all of them. So my hopes for getting anything from them are small.

Middleton is a bottom pair/PK d-man with the ability to play up if needed. He shouldn't be in the top-4. He really needs to be traded so GMBG can't him a stupid Foligno type contract before the season starts.