How integral is Slavin to what we do? There are zero forwards in the NHL we trade Slavin for. Zero.
It's not about value, it's about how we are built and play the game.
Not trying to be a jerk here, but how's that working out for you?
Carolina have been perennially one of the, if not (in aggregate) the best team in the regular season for like 5 years straight... and then can't score in the playoffs.
And we are talking about adding one of the best (two way) playoff performers in the game. And, yes, I'm aware Drai isn't always a two-way player in the long regular season... but you guys have already solved that part... you need a playoff game breaker.
I actually kind of like this trade (as a starting point) for both teams IF AND ONLY IF we know we have to move on from Drai.
These teams could learn from each other... good trading partners IMO.
Having said all of that: Carolina is adding a couple of picks here OR taking on Nurse as part of the return (maybe with retention)
To Carolina: Nurse at $7.25, Draisaitl
To Edmonton: Slavin, Necas, 1st, $2M of Nurse is retained
Rationale:
* Slavin is a huge upgrade on Nurse, but after retention and Slavin's new contract, we're going to be paying north of $9M for him (effectively)
* Edmonton downgrades big time on Necas, probably more than Nurse to Slavin (once you factor in our new salaries and retention)...
* So Edmonton still needs a sweetener... that's the 1st.
* Failing that, either:
A) Take Nurse out and Carolina adds a 2nd: Slavin, 1st, 2nd, Necas = Drai
B) Edmonton looks around for a better (ie cheaper younger assets) package for Drai and keep Nurse