coldply123

I don't think i'd do Henrique for Stafford either but it's the kind of deal I'd want to do.  I like Henrique, he's the kind of player every team likes to have, and I'd like to trade him into something better suited for this team.  I'd trade him for a healthy Versteeg, for instance.  I'd trade him in a deal for Blake Wheeler.  I'm just blue-skying here and obviously it depends on the contract status of the player in question.

 

I know Dreger said Toronto is real interested in Clarkson but I don't really see the spot for him.  They've got JVR, Kessel, Lupul, Kulemin, etc. at wing - I dunno, I guess he fits in there, but it seems like a silly thing to go after for Toronto.

Yeah, I agree on the latter.  I don't know or see where Toronto's interest is coming from, but Dreger is very keyed into the TOR front office, so my assumption is this wasn't just Clarkson's agent trying to boost the market and there probably is something beyond the smoke there.  I have trouble thinking of Clarkson's market more than just a couple teams though, especially if he's looking for the figures he's rumored to think he's worth.  The teams with an abundance of cap room aren't teams that would seem to me to be too interested in dumping a ridiculous contract out there on him considering they aren't really close to contention.  I suppose Columbus could be a possibility, although I really doubt that.

I'm not opposed to dealing Henrique in the type of scenario you proposed where we get another top line forward that might fit better.  Unfortunately, Versteeg suffered a pretty significant injury and Wheeler seems to be a guy the Jets want to build around and keep.  But that kind of deal you're tossing out to me is fair for the most part.

Re:  Clarkson - I have a fantasy about the Devils trading Henrique for a RW (for Drew Stafford and a 2nd?  I dunno doesn't make a ton of sense for Buffalo) and signing Clarke MacArthur, giving them lines of:

 

Elias-Zajac-Stafford

MacArthur-Loktionov-Kovalchuk

Zubrus-Josefson-Clarkson

Carter-Gionta-Bernier

 

but it's probably a pipe dream.  Obviously with injuries Clarkson would move up.

I actually like Macarthur and it sounds though like Toronto isn't considering him to be a high priority and may go after Clarkson.  If Toronto goes out to sign Clarkson and overpays, I'd be fine with simply subbing in MacArthur at a much cheaper price than Clarkson would cost.  I think we win that one in all honesty, but we'd still need another top forward.

Not sure I'd do Henrique for Stafford.  I think Stafford is a real risky bet.  He looked brutal this year and most of last year too.   Sabres fans are really down on him.  He is signed for two more years.  Plus I don't know why, but I see Stafford as bolting to go join Parise when his current deal is up.  He's from up there (Minny/Wisc) and is friends with both Suter/Parise.