You guys can rip the proposal all you want
I believe Zucc fetches a first and solid (not elite) prospect
I believe the Oilers have been linked to trying to get rid of Lucic’s contract (which at 4 X 6) is horrendous. To move that would
Also require either a first or elite prospect.
Combine the two together and get a second coming back and I still like my proposal
Fire away if you feel the need
Or maybe what it needs is some creativity. Here is a hypothetical deal that gives you a frame work for moving a contract like Lucic's that does not cost a significant asset: This deal is a three way trade where Carolina absorbs some cap space but actually saves real dollars and gets paid to do so. The key assumption is that Carolina wants out of the Rask deal.
To Carolina: Lucic, Benning <=> To Edmonton: V. Rask
To Montreal: Lucic 20% retained , Benning <=>To Carolina: Alzner, 3rd in 2020
To Edmonton: Alzner 15% retained <=>To Carolina: 2020 3rd, Spooner
Edmonton buys out Alzner.
Net impact:
Edmonton: In: Rask Out: Spooner, Benning and Lucic, 2020 3rd
Cap: $7M in cap savings minus the buyout for Alzner which would be:
2019-2020: 900K 2020-2021: $3.6M 2021-2022: $1.9M 2022-2025: $900K
Carolina: In Spooner, 2020 3rd, 2020 3rd , Out Rask
Money: They pay $3.2M for Lucic, $900K for Alzner =$4.1M but they save $900k this year and next and get rid of Rask's on Rask vs Spoonerlast two years at $4M so they come out ahead money wise by a fair bit and gain 2 mid round picks.
Montreal: In Lucic at 80% and Benning Out: Alzner, 3rd in 2020
Alzner is not going to help Montreal at all if he can't play a regular shift. It's pretty hard to hide a defensive defenseman who can no longer defend. Even on the 3rd pairing the guy can cost you games. Lucic on the other hand can play on the Hab's 3rd or 4th line without really hurting them. He can add some size and physicality which they really lack. They won't need the cap space until 2020 at the earliest and might be willing to gamble that they get a compliance buyout. But if that does not happen they could try to move him then with modest retention to a team that has a budget after July 1. The Habs could retain 1/4 of his deal for three years and the other team would only be on the hook for an average of $2.5M per year in actual money.