Thanks!!!!
I'd legit trade Monahan and Hanifin as the two main pieces for Larkin.
Larkin is fan favorite like a son in Det. He goes nowhere.
Allow me to bring over the deal agreed to in a prior thread, but with the adds for NY updated from "2 lesser pieces".
Hanifin + Ras Andersson + CAL 2019 1st [later middle]
for
Zib [after this season 3 yrs at only 5.35] + Vesey [one after this at 2.275, then ufa] + Pionk (rfa) + [either] W prospect
Ville Meskanen + 2020 NYR 2nd
cap wise Zib + Hani are within roughly .4 and it's only a couple more m in cap, so it is a loose enuf fit.
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I generally don't trade guys like Vesey, who came as college ufa and signed here, until their course is fully run, if at all. While it has been uneven at times, he has continued to work hard and shows 20-ish goals potted with lower 6 linemates ability. Good fit that adds grit to Flames.
Of course the core piece is Zib, who hysterically has been underrated by the usual suspects.
Pionk is an x factor, his ceiling is not expected to be THAT high, but he has very good, not exceptional skating, and ate a lot of mins at RD, an actual righty.
Meskanen looks like an interesting depth player with upside.
I have other moves in mind for other assets, so while this is not etched in stone, that is why I'm leaning to this package.
I see Skjei and Staal and hopefully Smith traded regardless; Rangers would roll with their 3 LD prospects and Claesson, now led by Hanifin.
Key is Ras And, as a righty RD
pick of course always useful currency. I see moves with the 2019 2nds, but this 2020 2nd is nice for Flames to add, while not interrupting, but rather adding to, immediate Ranger plans
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taking into account age, salary, wear and tear, likeliness of current team to move for a fit CAL can live with, Zib emerges as a top option.
Rangerrs don't want to let him go, but now have Kakko + Kravtsov in close view, with Panarin and Hayes as possible UFA adds, while needing D help and picks.
win win.