Eastside's Hockey Elite Collide

To Pittsburgh:

Brad Stuart (76)
LA 1st 2013
Patrick O'Sullivan (60)

To Columbus:

Daymond Langkow (78)
DET 1st 2013
Chris Stewart (80)

Reasoning: This deal works out perfectly for both teams. The salaries of Stuart and Langkow essentially cancel out for this season and next. Langkow isn't the player I envisioned getting for one of my defensemen, but a forward was a bigger need than having a logjam of defensemen. He's good in the faceoff circle, can fit nicely on a D&C or NZT line, and replaces the leadership I lose in trading Stuart.

The swap of the first round picks is under the assumption that Detroit's will be better than LA's and that's compensation for the extra year of paying Langkow's salary after Stuart's contract expires.

Stewart is an ideal 13th forward that comes at a cheap price for next season with a team option at a very manageable 1.1M. O'Sullivan was a guy I signed to help my AHL team, so he's not a big loss for me, but will give Bern a 13th forward with some offensive upside.

Accepted.

As soon as I saw Adam's post about having an extra D in the team news forum I had an eye on Stuart. Ian White will be much better as a forward and I can have him go back if someone gets injured. I'm also really fed up of having to play Josh Gorges because of Paul Ranger being out for so long. As for Langkow, I might regret trading him because Peter Holland moves back up to the 3rd line, but my need for a D was more important and Langkow's salary made this deal possible.

Trade approved.

A quick glance at Columbus' defense corps at both levels reveals a bit of a logjam at the position. Youngsters Connor Murphy and Daniel Krejci are relegated to Springfield. On the other side, Pittsburgh recently dealt Simon Despres to the Red Wings, and Bern still awaits the return of Paul Ranger from LTIR.

Stuart is probably the best player in the deal and Columbus takes on another year of Langkow at $3.75M. Adam receives a roll of the dice with the Detroit 1st, a pick that could be just outside the lottery or top ten with some unforeseen events.

Inputted.