The Rangers are the least likely to trade for Gaudreau. They have may have been a plausible destination before the lottery, but with Lafreniere landing in their lap, they now have a LW depth chart of:
Panarin ($11.6 mil)
Kreider ($6.5 mil)
Lafreniere
I just can't see them moving out significant assets to they can have the most loaded LW lineup (and cap hit) in NHL history. If they make a big trade to help them compete in the near-term, it will be for a defenceman.
NJ likewise don't make for great trade partners. They just let a superstar LW walk because they're not in their contention window. Has that really changed in one season? They also don't have much in assets the Flames need, except maybe Palmieri, and he's one year away from UFA (and a local NJ boy who would be unlikely to re-sign with the Flames).
The Isles are facing major cap problems. Hard to see them bringing in Gaudreau without sending back comparable salary (Eberle?). And again, looking at their depth chart they have Lee and Beauvillier as locks as their top two LW. That position is the least of their problems. Like the Rangers, if the Isles make a splashy trade it will be for a defenceman.
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Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
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