Quote:
Originally Posted by Frequitude
I think many are overestimating Columbus's desire to shed bad contracts. Or underestimating their options to do so. Would they like to, sure, but they're not going to pay Puljujarvi to do it. They'd find another way (ie trade away a 2nd or something).
To put it another way, some seem to be mulling over whether we pay three 2nds to move up to #3. So let's just say that's rough market value for the purposes of this conversation (I still think it might not be enough but I digress). Three seconds is massive overpayment to shed Hartnell and Bobrovsky.
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I think you are grossly underestimating how badly the Hackets need to shed cap. They are committed over $70M next year and Seth Jones doesn't have a contract. Prime target for an offer sheet. Columbus also is screwed for the expansion draft with the amount of NMC they have and potential young forward they might lose.
The end result is not the Jackets giving up Puljujarvi to shed a bad contract. They shed the money and move back a couple spots and still draft a top end prospect. For instance they trade Puljujarvi and Hartnell for Brown and 2 2nd rounders which frees up nearly $6M in cap space as Brown likely goes back to junior and Puljujarvi plays in the NHL next year