try this:
1. McDonagh 4.7 x3 + Ranger 3rd in 2017, and NYR 4th in 2018
for
Trouba, [RFA = 0, but will result in savings for Wini since it is not paying Trouba 6 or more] + Jets 2nd in 2017, and Jets 3rd in 2018
cap is close enough
this deal was approved by Maukkis who underscored he would not recommend it to NY in a vacuum, and that moving Trouba, a 9OA, was not cut and dried either; however, his final conclusion remains, objectively, for Jets getting McD on that sweet contract, and the balance it provides adding needed LD to ample RD, it was worth it, even if it meant also losing on two separate picks exchanges; NY takes on more cap.
McD is ideal for Wini, which is RD heavy.
Rangers eliminate that McD can invoke protection clause soon, and this trade defeats that; acquire Trouba, who will cost more $ now but will be more cost effective later, but they get younger and also add in an area of need, unless he is flipped for....
2. W/Sabres
RFA Trouba, 0.0, but will remain to be signed
for
C Sam Reinhart on ELC, .894,166 x2 (cap hit)
Straight up, no complications, no drama.
Why Buf. Eichel is their true 1C, and have enough depth past the position to surrender Sam. Trouba is close value for Risto, selected a year apart a slot apart. Thought it heard somewhere Trouba is a fan of Eichel; he still wants to get paid, but I think he makes nice.
That leaves Sabes with interesting option: if Risto just has pain in the butt agent dragging this out and all is resolved, they can have extremely strong D overall, RD in particular to go with solid C. Or, regardless, can ship Risto’s rights to say EDM for Draisatil and Nurse.
Why Rangers: true 1C potential, solid add, like another Buchnevich but in the pivot. Key is ELC so expansion draft exempted, saving a protection slot.
3. W/Canes
Stepan* (6.5,reduced to 4.0, x 5) + Miller (2.75 x 2)+ Zucarello (4.5 x3) +Ott 2018 2nd = 11.25 cap [being exchanged]
for
Hanifin (.925 x 2) Pesce (.809,166 x 2) + Murphy (.787,500 x 2) + Skinner (5.725 x 3) + cap dump Bickel 4.0 expiring + return of Ranger 2017 2nd + Canes 1st in 2017 or 2018, CAR choice. {11.25 cap [being exchanged]} = 12.046,666
= cap dif under 1m = negligible
* has NMC clause but does not become effective til next season, so defeated with this trade.
Rangers gain just under 1m cap relief, moving 6.5, taking on a bit over 5.5
Why: CAR has excess of D, Miller, Stepan, Zuc are all solid adds. This does induce pain of loss of golden boy Hanifin, and has 2 exempt ELCs buh bye, but did not take on any NMCs and the rest of this deal is too good for Canes to pass up. Miller, 15OA, could go hire if redrafted, not on par with Hanafin but is a solid down payment vs. his potential. Small gap gain immediately, and Stepan discounted! Like 2.5 x 4 is 10mil savings both paid and cap hit. Miller and Zuc are bargains, Zuc >> than Skinner, not even having to cough up 4.0 for Bickell. Pesce has value but for all of the above, the ask is not too great, and even so much so Murphy can be a throw in. Does deplete Canes D reserves x 3, but they have plenty, starting w/Faulk on down.
For NY, Hanafin and Pesce are ELCs exempt from expansion draft and while that is very costly, it is huge add that works for Rangers.
Consider:
Hanafin Pesce
Skjei McIlrath
Graves Murphy
Holden Klein
Staal - Girardi
which assumes
Klein will be moved for a profit, possibly w/Lindberg/Fast, possibly not
Staal Girardi, we are likely stuck w/at least one, likely Girardi, but not unreasonable if Staal now sees the writing on the wall, he agrees to a move IF we send him where HE wants to go, and that is fine with us, as long as we can move his NMC.
So going into expansion, if Staal moved, we would have Girardi and 2 of Murphy/McIlrath and Holden to protect. Still want to move G, obviously, but a huge improvement.
We would still be able to eat up to half on the wonder twins.
So, robbing Peter to pay Paul?
Not really.
Can still do a top, dominating line of Kreider - Reinhart - Zib, with Zib as standby for C depth.
Then, yeah, loss of Miller hurts, but Hanifin makes up for it.
Grabner (speed to complement Hayes a la Hagelin) - Hayes - Vesey
if not moved Lindberg fine at 3C
Nash - Lindberg - Buchnevich
Piri - Jooris - Jensen
Skinner assumes Nash’s spot once he is moved.
Very important, Gropp and possibly Boo Nieves are rising quickly, replace Nash, Skinner. So it DOES work out!
How do ya like me now?