Not that I think there is a trade there but Saad would be pretty damn sexy next to Crosby.
Oh, certainly, but let's be realistic. Pittsburgh's not about to trade Crosby; certainly not to a divisional rival.
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Even assuming that that's fair and equivalent value (which I by no means agree with) - we've got Werenski, Murray, JJ, and Nutivaara as LHDs right now (JJ's playing on the right as a result). Another one doesn't really help.
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Giordano and Brouwer for Saad and Johnson
A great 24-year old winger and a good 29-year-old blueliner for an okay 31-year-old winger and a great 33-year-old blueliner? And we take on a bit of additional cap? You're kind of in the neighborhood, but ultimately thanks but no thanks.
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Barzal and Beauvillier, no?
Probably I should have specified NHL experience as being one of the prerequisites as well. Not that we don't need C prospects (right now it's PLD, Kevin Stenlund, and a handful of AHL lifers), but we'd prefer to get those via means other than a Saad trade.
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Sounds good, we'll stick with our hot rookie.
Then we have an agreement! Good doing business.
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How about Vatanen + Larsson?
For
Saad 25% retained?
That'd be a "flip 'em for what you REALLY want afterward" type deal from our perspective, and while such a thing could be worthy of consideration with someone as valuable as Vatanen (especially since there's teams out there with extra quality Cs and a need for RHDs - *cough*cough*edmonton*cough*), the salary retention makes it a bit awkward for us.
EDIT: also the fact that we'd be promptly trading a quality RHD to a divisional rival might give Anaheim pause.