Nobody should think he's shopping them but if he's talking to a team like Ottawa then Hodgson makes the most sense for what they would want. If we're under the assumption that any trade is also a way to open up a spot for Ott
But a few do and thats what I was responding to.
As for the rest, thats quite a chain of assumptions to make an argument
#1) That Murray is talking to Ottawa
#2) If he is talking to Ottawa then Hodgson makes the most sense in a trade
#3) That trading Hodgson would be to free up space for Ott
#4) That Ott would be signing for at least 4 years
Not going to comment on all of them. But the idea that Murray thinking of moving Hodgson to free up a spot for Ott makes little to no sense.
If we're under the assumption that any trade is also a way to open up a spot for Ott then I'm not sure trading Stafford or Stewart really accomplish that since they're gone anyways. I can't see Ott signing for less than 4 years and that starts to create a log jam of too many guys signed long term on a bad team which creates unappealing situations (Calgary). If you look at the landscape of our contracts it's also specifically against what Murray is trying to do. Hodgson, Moulson, Ennis (when signed), and presumably Ott would all be locked up for over 4 years.
This team currently has 7 vet forwards; Moulson, Gionta, Stewart, Stafford, Mitchell, McCormick and I think you could throw Kaleta in there. Only 3 are signed beyond next season (Mouslon, Gionta and McCormick). Trading out a vet with 1 year left on a deal and replacing them with Ott gives them 4 vets signed past this season. I fail to see how that would cause a log jam going forward.
You also have to look at how many GMs have come out and said they want a young player on a long term deal. Bryan Murray said just last week they're working out a trade for such a player.
That's just my belief. Tim Murray isn't shopping Hodgson but he would be the 2nd most appealing player on the team after Myers that Murray would move for an overpayment.
Those GMs can want those players all they want. Murray knows this and has already commented on it. Barring an overpayment he isn't moving those guys. We're also not the only teams with players in that category. Murray has called around himself.