If you're looking to keep Skinner AND the 5 pick (which should be Plan A), then the Flyers should absolutely be the target. They're over the cap and currently have 7 defenseman making $3.5mil+ per season.

Unless he is going fishing for a true top 2 dman, call #1 should be to the Flyers.

At the same time, the phone line should be open to see if Buf or Edm is willing to overpay for the 5 pick. If we're getting $1.25 to $1.50 on the $1 for the 5 pick, we should absolutely pull the trigger.
- Gossler1

Spot on with your first paragraph.

The big problem with your second paragrapgh is that everyone assumes they are going to get $1.50 for their $1. I would NEVER give you that simply to move up 3 spots in the draft. I repeat, never. That is a move only a fool of a GM would make.

Good luck getting Wideman or Gio for what you offered.

Gio and our 6th for the 5th and a 2nd?
- whipper334

Maybe wideman but no way gio goes for that low

Bit extreme, he was never a "once-in-a-greneration" player to begin with.
- TommyDeVito

Yeah, it is very common to see 19 year old 6'8" #1 Defenseman that can skate like the wind. Happens all the time.

Once again, he was brutal last year. He will be great again.

Yeah, it is very common to see 19 year old 6'8" #1 Defenseman that can skate like the wind. Happens all the time.

Once again, he was brutal last year. He will be great again.
- Slump Buster

He's been pretty bad for consecutive years now. He'll be better but i wonder if he'll be as he was projected.

Couple of corrrections: Hainsey is a left-shooting D-man and is certainly not offensive at all. Having said that............please take him! This Winnipeg fan doesn't want him back under any circumstances. He should have been traded at deadline for whatever we could have got.

I know that Bergevin likes McBain and Habs need a right handed Dman so I wonder if a deal between habs and Hurricanes couldn't be worked out.
- willey101

Agreed, however I think it costs slightly more than what is being suggested in this blog. Markov may have lost a step but he was top 5 in points and goals for a defenceman. I know with his age and injury history his value goes down a bit but looking at the available D and what Streit and Gonchar got for contracts I think he would fetch more than a small package of picks/prospets (not to mention the Habs aren't really in a rebuilding mode anymore).

Would love to get Skinner or the #5......i know it'd take more than Markov to do that though

Maybe wideman but no way gio goes for that low
- RedC21

To be honest, the value of Giordano and Wideman is a bit fuzzy.

I think I am correct in saying that Calgary would listen to offers that were comprised of futures and not a top half of the roster player in return. With a thin farm system right now, I am not sure what the Canes would/could offer.

To a team that likes him, I think McBain has reasonable value. He has not been great the past 2 years, but he is only 25, has significant NHL experience and does have skating and offensive skills. For a rebuilding team, he is also a nice hybrid of a guy who can fill the roster now and at least potentially the future too. He is also RFA next summer, so you get to keep him longer term.

Past McBain it gets tougher. Cal would get their choice of whoever they like from "not yet there" players like Boychuk, Dalpe, etc. who are young, have seen NHL experience, but have not made it yet. Then there probably ends up being something like a 2nd round pick for 2014.

So when you net it out, you get a legitimate (lower caliber) roster defenseman, a mid-tier older prospect and a decent pick - not a tremendous return but a decent collection of different types of futures.

I know that Bergevin likes McBain and Habs need a right handed Dman so I wonder if a deal between habs and Hurricanes couldn't be worked out.
- willey101

I'd love to get Gleason instead. McBain reminds me to much of Gorges.

How about elder from Vancouver for the 5 th overall pick

He's been pretty bad for consecutive years now. He'll be better but i wonder if he'll be as he was projected.
- willey101

And I think that is where my opinion differs from a lot of people - I think he'll get it back. It isn't like we're hoping a guy that has always been soft will grow a pair. This guy was great for a while when young D aren't supposed to be great. Even the Sabre fans that want to get rid of him now will tell you that he was amazing as a rookie. He was so-so two years ago and terrible last year. He fully admits that he did not lift a finger in the offseason last year and came in woefully out of shape.

Anton Babchuk. Brett Carson. Do you think Calgary would really be willing to try their luck on another Carolina d castoff like McBain?

I'd love to get Gleason instead. McBain reminds me to much of Gorges.
- soad_live

Except McBain is 5 yrs younger and has more upside then Gleason...not really sold on either unless we get another significant piece as well.

Except McBain is 5 yrs younger and has more upside then Gleason...not really sold on either unless we get another significant piece as well.
- Joel_Eh

I'm more sold on Gleason as he is much physical. I think it coulb be Markov for Gleason + a mid prospect or something like that.

Jordan Staal to Vancouver for Edler
- B_A_Baracus

Staal bros for the Sedin Bros.

How would you feel about Coburn, 11th overall, and 2nd for the 5th overall.

I'm more sold on Gleason as he is much physical. I think it coulb be Markov for Gleason + a mid prospect or something like that.
- soad_live

But would that really be worth pulling the trigger on? I think next year Markov would be more valuable than Gleason to the team and a mid level prospect while always useful isn't something we despearately need.

I'd rather hold on to Markov and move him at the deadline for a larger return than move him for something like that.

How would you feel about Coburn, 11th overall, and 2nd for the 5th overall.
- youarewrong

Too much

But would that really be worth pulling the trigger on? I think next year Markov would be more valuable than Gleason to the team and a mid level prospect while always useful isn't something we despearately need.

I'd rather hold on to Markov and move him at the deadline for a larger return than move him for something like that.
- Joel_Eh

The thing is, i'm not really sure Markov value will be higher at the deadline.

Kaberle is also available... Could be a good fit.

But would that really be worth pulling the trigger on? I think next year Markov would be more valuable than Gleason to the team and a mid level prospect while always useful isn't something we despearately need.

I'd rather hold on to Markov and move him at the deadline for a larger return than move him for something like that.
- Joel_Eh

Canes wouldn't move Gleason in a deal for Markov. We need +1 top 4 defenseman. That just swaps 1 for another. It also subtracts big/physical and adds more puck-mover/offense which is the wrong direction. And with Markov being UFA next summer, it could just recreate the same problem next summer. As someone noted, the challenge here is for the Canes to offer enough futures when their system is light right now. If they can't, maybe Mon is better off just using him and waiting until the deadline and then getting similar return.

I really think McBain coud be interesting in Montreal. He has played stretches where he looked like a solid top 4 who could skate. But mixed in, he has really struggled at times and looked like a borderline #6 if you need second-unit power play help. But in a stricter defensive system like Montreal's might he adjust and thrive? I don't know for sure obviously, but with his skill set there is at least potential for significant upside.

Kaberle is also available... Could be a good fit.
- Frank0721

Why did you take him from us in the first place?

Kaberle is also available... Could be a good fit.
- Frank0721

They tried him. Didnt work. Next?!?

I'd love to get Gleason instead. McBain reminds me to much of Gorges.
- soad_live

I like Gleason as well but I think we need a right handed shot. Won't be Markov but maybe we can see a Diaz for McBain type of deal.

Why did you take him from us in the first place?
- CarolinaMatt63

That would be a Mr Gauthier move.

Why did you take him from us in the first place?
- CarolinaMatt63

PG had a vision man... Too bad it was blury, probably pinkeye.