I don’t think it’s a one-time-use coupon, the NTC, but I don’t really know. You could be right about interpreting with MB was saying. I reread it, and I can’t really tell.

As far as trading Moller or Frolov… that would hurt. As I said above, Frolov for Heatley doesn’t get us that much. Trading Moller now would be one of the worst trades ever, in my opinion; although the hideousness of it wouldn’t be apparent for another 3-4 years.

The whole thing only works for me if it’s Stoll who goes. Stoll and NOT Johnson. Stoll, Voynov, Purcell and Zatkoff, or something. The Kings fan wet-dream trade (if I am that fan) would be Stoll, Richardson, Voynov, Zatkoff and picks. But that’s simply never going to happen.

Ottawa is going to want Frolov, Johnson and Moller. F*** that. We’ll see who blinks first. You just gave me a good idea for a poll, though.

First off, re: “For the sake of argument, though, I’m going to pretend to agree with Matthew Berry’s assertion that Heatley couldn’t possibly pull the same stunt twice (asking for a trade, etc.), because then he would really be toast and would have nowhere to turn but the KHL.”

That’s not how I read that in Berry’s blog. I read it as inferring the rule that once a player waives an NTC to be traded, he loses the clause (unless the team agrees to keep it??? which I guess makes the point moot as Heatley would insist the team accept the NTC for him to approve the deal) I think that happened with Visnovsky, but I also am not sure the player has an option in that. So if that is true, and Heatley’s NTC didn’t come with him, then even if he asked for a trade, the Kings could either tell him to sit down and shut up, or trade him anywhere for anything they wanted.

As for what pieces would go in a trade, I love Moller as much as you, but I might consider trading him for Heatley. But only if it was just Fro, Moller and a 2nd or something. I think a reasonable and good deal for both teams (and ideal for us) is Frolov, Purcell/Voynov and a 1st. Maybe another prospect, take your pick of mid-tiers. If they wanted another roster player, make it Purcell & Voynov and changed the 1st to a 2nd.

I could live that that. Easily.

Heatley-Kopi-Williams
Smyth-Stoll-Brown
Moller-Handzus-Simmonds
Clune-Lewis-whoever

When I say Fro, it is only because we will probably trade him at the deadline if he doesnt re-sign. Is the person we trade him for gonna be better then Dany Heatley??? Personally I dont like the #’s on Dany Heatleys contract even if we traded nobody for him, but then again he is the 2nd highest scorer in the league over the last 3 years…. what would that do for the kings.

For me, Heatley for Frolov, Moller, JJ or Teubert would be pretty much the worst possible scenario. Also, as I said, trading Heatley for Frolov does not improve our offense by more than 5-10 goals. Therefore, I would pass on any Heatley trade that includes Frolov.

Also, Frolov, Moller and JJ is over-paying, if you’re using the Edmonton deal for comparison. I’m sticking with Stoll, Purcell and Voynov. Even that worries me.

Re Moller’s fit: I think I disagree. Moller is a C/RW who is defensively responsible and is great on the PP. He can play on any line except really on a pure “shut down” line. In a couple of years, he will be big enough to do that, too; but he will be too good by then not to be top six or even top three. And he’s a leader. And he never stops working. And he can hit beyond his weight class.

If he gets traded I will instantly be a fan of that team and it will be the first black mark against Lombardi in my book.

I understand where you are coming from because I am the same way with Simmonds, if we traded him for Wayne Gretzky I would be pissed off, I love the guy.

I am not much of a Heatley fan, but the guy can bury the puck with the best of them.