I'm going to remain consistent in what I want & what I've been saying. I want Yakupov, and I've been saying that Talbot may be worth the #16.
That said, I'm also willing to consider #33... if we can create a package deal. Something like #33 + Yakupov for Talbot, Klein & Hags. That would still be nice, IMO.
Better scenario would be #16 + Yakupov for Talbot, Klein & Hags.
Before anyone says "no way ... Edmonton won't do that"...remember that it's all based on team needs. Edmonton needs D and needs a G. If you look at things even more closely, they had the second worst Penalty Kill in the NHL this past season. That's where Hags comes in. Furthermore, Hags can keep up with the speed of their young talent during 5v5 as well.
Seriously...Edmonton has earned (lol) many early picks in the last several years and has alot of young talent to show for it. It's not required of them to keep them all...and Yakupov has underperformed. His trade value should be at a low at this point (though he finished up last year quite strong).
If we can get that done, it's a nice cap dump for us...in exchange for someone that could turn his career around in a new environment ... and is locked in at 2.5 mil for each of the next two seasons. Plus we get a nice pick to assist our future.
Glass easily includes himself in the line-up and we come in well under 70 ml Cap. BUT, I have an issue with this. I am not a Glass Fan. I want to run Lingberg as 4th line LW next year. Is there a UFA we can pick up next year at 2.0 mil or 2.5 mil that inserts nicely into our 3rd Line on Left wing? Or...we could move Miller to 3rd Line LW and search for a Right Winger. Crazier yet, we could put Miller at 3rd Line C and Hayes at 3rd Line RW. So many possibilities with the guys we have.
So... for quick reference...please look at my Line-up pasted below...and
please let me know who we can pick up to play 3rd line if we get rid of Glass. I'm thinking we should talk to Shawn Matthias in this scenario...and see if he will sign for 2.5 mil ... but that is unlikely this year....due to so few quality UFAs. They will command premiums.
I'm also starting to consider someone Raspewtin brought up in the past...Erik Conrda. Sorry for bringing your name up, Ras... but I like to give credit where it is due...and I think Condra is absolutely worth considering in this scenario. He played for 1.25 mil last year and is a UFA. Ottawa may not sign him and his output does not imply to me that he is someone that will require more than 2.5 mil to sign. He also seems a solid Corsi player if I recall. A smart dude. BTW..If Stepan requires 6.25 or 6.50 to re-sign...Condra seems even MORE worthy of consideration...as I think he may be willing to play in NY for 2 mil. Kondra is also a Right-Handed shot!
Anyway...if Talbot is traded solely for a pick...I then recommend unloading Hags & Klein for more picks....and going Hell or High Water for Carl Soderberg.
Thanks for reading my long post, lol. I try to keep stuff realistic...and I think this is realistic.