Key point is that he's not going anywhere unless someone overpays. A team that will overpay is one that is under pressure to make some noise. When you look league wide there are only a handful of teams that appear to fall under this category. Here's who I see
Boston - missed playoffs and fired their gm. Change is coming
Montreal - came close to conference finals again this year and bergevin isnt shy to make moves
NYR - similar to Montreal are close and need someone to put them over top
Pittsburgh - another disappointing exit. Rutherford in last year and probably wants to go out a winner. Need someone to play with Sid
StL - like Pittsburgh another early exit. Coach stays, core must change
Look at the rosters/reserve lists/draft picks of these teams. Is there anything these teams have that would blow our doors off, considering they want to add in most cases and not subtract?
Boston. Lucic would be nice but has one year left and is showing signs of decline. Would they give their first for Hudler?
Montreal. Have #25 in this year's draft but are small up front to begin with. Middling prospects. Only player of interest would be galchenyuk and and don't think they would
NYR. Have traded most of their firsts in the st Louis/yandle deals and cupboard is a bit bare. Unlikely to deal any good young roster players for Hudler
Pittsburgh. Like NYR cupboard is bare and no first rounder. Sutter would be nice but like Lukic a year away from ufa. Would they trade Harrington? One of their last good young players left. Probably moving Malkin to restock.
St Louis. Need to move old core out. Their old core is close to ufa so not much interest unless it comes with something young. Have traded picks so not much in the way of those assets and unlikely to deal young roster players.
Thought ottawa and Philly might be good partners but don't see either team with the same urgency to make a splash like the others. Ottawa has cap constraints and Philly has a cap mess to clean up while at the same time in a restock mode.
Just can't see a fit based on the above. Teams that probably want him the most don't have what we want or won't give up what we want. Good to keep listening but can't see it happening unless a rival gm gets absolutely desperate.
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