[CliffFletcher]

Since N26 said we were going to expand the trade options today, here's my kick at the can:

To CBJ:

Johnny Gaudreau
Adam Ruzicka
2nd round pick

To CGY:

Oliver Bjorkstrand
David Savard
Liam Foudy
1st round pick


Cap hits are close to a wash.

Flames swap Gaudreau and Bjorkstrand on protected list. If Savard re-signs, they protect Anderson, Hanifin, Savard.

Why Calgary does the deal:

Get a natural RW who can immediately slot into the top six (something the team has been after for years).

Get an underrated defensive stalwart RHS to fill the hole at RD at a lower cap hit than any comparable RD they’ll sign as a UFA.

Get a skilled, blazingly fast recent 1st round (#18 OA) prospect who’s NHL ready, and who doesn’t need to be protected in the expansion draft, along with another mid-1st round pick in a deep draft.

Why Calgary doesn’t do the deal:

Obviously giving up the best player in the deal.

Savard is one year away from UFA. They'd want to be confident they can re-sign him.

With no guarantee Foudy or the 1st rounder turn into difference-makers, the deal could look bad in a few years.

Why Columbus does the deal:

Get a highly skilled winger who basically replaces the one they lost when Panarin bolted.

Don’t give up a core piece.

More secure expansion draft situation as Gavrikov can now be protected without going with a 4D protected list.

Why Columbus doesn’t do the deal:

Losing #3D in Savard leaves big hole at RD.

Giving up a 1st round pick and a player recently drafted in the 1st round is a big hit to a prospect pool already badly depleted by trading away a 1st and two 2nd round picks in recent years (which is why Ruzicka and Calgary’s 2nd rounder are included).

Gaudreau might not be a good fit for Tortorella’s defence-first lunchbucket team ethos.