MTL - TB

[Jets GM]

To MTL: Colby Cohen (78), Dan Ellis (80), WPG 1st 2013, NJ 1st 2013 and 2nd NYR 2013

To TB: Patrick Nemeth (84)

[Montreal Canadiens]

*tear* confirmed.

On the surface, kinda looks a bit silly, I'm in contention for top spot in the Eastern Conference and with only two months left in the season and then playoffs, I'm trading not only my best defensemen, but one of the entire league's elite defensemen.

At this present time, I feel Patrik Nemeth's value is at it's peak. Unlike last year, he wasn't injured this year, has 22 points, 140 hits given (leads my team), 95 takeaways (second on my team), and a 7.34 average rating. It ain't a secret my team has some cap issues that with Nemeth would only get worse. Nemeth & Bjugstad are up for a raise this off-season, with Carey Price and Luca Sbisa right around the corner needing extensions. If I kept Nemeth into the off-season I would have had to deal him (and wouldn't have got full value) or gutted my core of forwards to remain under the cap.

I feel this trade keeps me competitive for this year, Cohen is young, on a cheap contract, only 6 less CON than Nemeth, (also lower greed although in this league doesn't mean too much), with the same amount of hitting capabilities, and I'm thinking/hoping he will put up more points. I can plug Cohen in for Nemeth's ice-time and I'm hoping there won't be a drop at all in results from my team. Also I grab a bunch of picks for the future that I can use as trade bait or draft a couple of youngsters as a few core members (Savard, Boyle, Brewer) are all getting up there in age.

To conclude, it really pains me to deal Nemeth, he was a pot-booster from 2010 that has turned into a monster on the backline, but I can remain competitve for this season while adding some much needed valuable future assets. Never thought I'd ever entertain moving Nemeth, but just goes to show, there is a price for everybody and Justin had the assets to pay it.

Thanks Justin and that defensive line of yours is sure nasty now. Wish you luck on your quest to get out of the bottom 10 plus looking at playoffs for next year. Look forward to our matchup on March 9th. I've got you 2/3 times so far this year, maybe Nemeth evens up the series.

[Jets GM]

Accepted.

The only thing Swedish about Patrick Nemeth is his name. I took it personally when GMs anointed PHX as having the best defensive core in the league, I thought I already had a solid core but this is a watershed moment for the Bolts. Nemeth brings so much to the table with his discipline, pugilistic skills and complete defensive game. He'll run you over, and if you don't like it? He'll feed your lunch to you with his fists. No one has forgotten what happened with Vinny Lecav; teams will think twice about going after TB's franchise players with Nemeth, Smith, Murray and Klingberg there to answer the bell. I had been after him for a long time; but, was finally able to make Brad an offer he couldn't refuse. Patrick will be a member of this organization for as long as EHEC exists, we look forward to having him in our lineup.

The price was high, and this will probably be my last "trade a hundred 1st's for one player" type deal. I'm simply to thin up-front to justify it. Cohen was tough to part with, not many 99 HIT+90 PM guys in the file but Brad wouldn't budge and he needed someone to step in for Nemeth. NJ has really impressed me this season, and WPG I'm hoping get's their shit together and squeaks into 8th spot. NYR 2nd will most likely end up 31-35th overall, but Nemeth was someone I had to have. Brad made me work for it, but I got my man.

I think it's fitting the trade happens on a night featuring a TB vs CAR tilt. Keep your head up, Mr. Staal.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Approved.

Nemeth is a fine player with very similar ability to Gudbranson. This return is in the same ballpark as the Gudbranson deal, with MTL likely getting a little bit more than I got, depending on how they draft. Which seems fair since Nemeth does have a better OA thanks to a higher PE and better SK ability.

[Virtual Jarmo]

Trade entered.