The big thing with the Gaudreau trade is the looming expansion draft.
No sense in adding a young d-man just to then risk losing another d-man via the expansion draft.
I do think the Gaudreau trade will focus on prospects and forwards, and I think the Flames are likely looking for three pieces in return.
My guess is the starting point probably would be something like:
Young RFA Age NHLer
Player Approaching UFA (To balance cap)
Pick/Prospects
With add-ons added to balance out depending on the quality of the young NHLer/Prospect
From the teams listed most often in rumors (PHI, BUF, NY teams) the starting point for a package probably looks something like.
Buffalo:
Sam Reinhart
Colin Miller ($1M Cap retained by Buffalo, Flames would expose him in expansion draft)
1st / Prospects (Anybody not named Cozens probably)
Philadelphia:
Travis Sanheim
Scott Laughton
1st/Prospects (Maybe like a Farabee or Morgan Frost)
Boston:
DeBrusk
??? (Maybe Grzelcyk)
1st/Prospects
Columbus:
Anderson
Murray or Jenner
1st/Prospects
I feel like I'm still not sure about the value and if that would be enough but feel like something like that would be the structure.
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