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NHL Trade Rumors: 5 blockbuster moves we’d like to see this offseason

By Alex Hoegler

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New York Islanders in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on April 12, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - APRIL 12: Phil Kessel #81 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New York Islanders in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on April 12, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images /

4. Jacob Trouba To Buffalo Sabres

Before the 2016-17 season took place, Jets blueliner Jacob Trouba requested a trade, but he later went back on it and would suit stay in Manitoba for the next three seasons, leading them to the Western Conference Final in 2018 plus another playoff berth in 2019.

But now it’s time for the Jets to move on from Trouba, because he’s a pending RFA and due for a massive raise, coming off a career-best 50-point season. Trouba deserves to get paid after signing a two-year, $6 million bridge deal in 2016 and a one-year pact worth $5.5 last summer.

Winnipeg must re-sign RFAs Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine to massive extensions, and CapFriendly only gives them about $25.372 million in cap space. Once general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff extends both Connor and Laine, he’ll have very little room to extend Trouba.

Related Story. 3 Players The Jets Should Trade. light

The Jets have a strong group of blueliners already, so Cheveldayoff can’t bother to spend $7-plus million a season on Trouba. And the latter still hasn’t indicated that he wants to be in Winnipeg long-term, and it only makes sense for Trouba to get a fresh start elsewhere.

Ideally, Cheveldayoff will be able to move Trouba for a comparable blueliner plus one or two extra pieces, be it players or picks. He needs someone who can make an impact right away, because the Jets are in win-now mode. Fortunately for Cheveldayoff, he has an ideal trade partner in the Buffalo Sabres.

Trade idea:

The Sabres were rumored to be shopping Ristolainen before the deadline, but a deal never materialized. The No. 8 pick from the 2013 draft just registered his fourth straight 40-point season. He may not have as much upside as Trouba, but the offensive production is there and he’d be a fine replacement.

But Trouba is simply the better player, so the Sabres would hypothetically sweeten the deal by throwing in Sheary, a capable 20-goal man who would slot in nicely on the second or third line for head coach Paul Maurice.

Trouba and Rasmus Dahlin form a dream pairing on defence. Winnipeg gets two quality players in return. This is a perfect trade for both teams.

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