1.) I don't know... I got the sense he really, really didn't want to part with certain key assets BUT that he also wanted to add something that would be here long-term and that he'd consider moving a long-term blue-chip for a quality piece that was going to stick around. You're certainly not getting Landeskog without giving up one of those guys (and I'm not even a Landeskog fan).
I also don't think Zboril or DeBrusk are on any kind of untouchables list. I think JFK is in the first group.
2.) Agree on the surplus comment. He mentioned prospects when he was talking about surplus but I'm hoping that extends to redundant parts like Killer/McQuaid and/or Beleskey/Schaller.
In terms of surplus prospects, I agree that we're talking about LW's specifically and a guy like DeBrusk I think is one of the main pieces. He is a solid player with upside so he has value but is he going to surpass Marchand or Vatrano? Cehlarik is in that picture too but he's outscoring DeBrusk. Bjork may have the highest upside of all of them and I think they'd be silly to move him before they know what they have. I think Heinen is another one, good talent, good upside, but Bjork plays faster and that's the direction they want to go so I'd put him in the same boat as DeBrusk.
On defense, Morrow jumps off the page. They can't protect him and aren't really using him. I think they'd be fine moving Gryz into that spot next year. But really, I think this comes back around to Zboril. Lots of talent and upside so there should be value there, but I think they like Lauzon better (I do). Gryz, O'Gara and the most underrated prospect on this board Emil Johansson.
There's a lot of value there, and only so many spots.
