Id like him back in anaheim personally... i dont know that wed move our 1st... but id do something like
Ritchie + morand/guhle
Maybe something around Groulx
Conditional pick on him resigning
Why would the duck trade futures for a rental? This is awful for the ducks unless Sami is concurrently signed to a decent deal. And even then, why trade assets for a guy you can sign for free in the offseason?
Vats is a good player. I'd love to have him back in Anaheim next year. But there is absolutely no reason the ducks should be making the best offer for him as a rental.
People on this site really do not understand the price of rentals. Thinking a 40 Point RHD who’s responsible defensively only nets a 2nd + b prospect are out to lunch. Every year people always go “wow ____ over paid for a rental!” At what point do people just realize thats the price of a rental. They go for that much because multiple teams want said player. It isn’t just acquiring a player you want, it’s also making sure a team you’re going to have to play doesn’t get that player.
Actually people on this site are far more likely to over value players than under value the price of rentals.
How many first round picks were traded at or near last years draft? Hint: Not many. Rental Kevin Hayes got a first. Rental Duchene got a first. Muzzin - not a rental - got a low first. Montour - not a rental (still a RFA) and more of a hockey trade - got a very low first (terms of the trade made it the lowest of Buffalo's three). Obviously, Stone also returned a ton, but he was re-signed as part of the deal and was clearly the best player available.
Sami - who again I like - is not the caliber of player as any of those pending UFAs. He's just not.
Better comparables - Zuccarello (2nd and 3rd), Dzingel (who like Sami was having a great year) got a prospect and 2 seconds. Hagelin - a third. and sixth.
NJ should absolutely ask for the moon. Maybe he gets a first from a cup contending team (i.e., low first) in great need. But I'd be surprised to see that happen.