smithers joe

Podkolzin?

Why would it be helpful to trade him? 

He wouldn't offer any cap relief and his value would only be as a someday hopeful.

Hoglander on the other hand has shown he can step into a lineup and produce at a super low number. This could be the perfect opportunity to get high value for him (like a Broberg?) while Podz hopefully rounds back into form to be a valuable piece within 1-2 years.

Good question. I think it will be a case of too many bodies and too few spots. Podkolzin is clearly in a dogfight to nail down a roster spot. If he can't and they have to send him to Abbotsford, he'd have to clear waivers and I don't think he would. So, if he doesn't show enough to earn a spot in Vancouver, I believe it would be better to trade him than lose him on waivers. But I openly admit that I could be completely wrong about this and maybe he gets a tryout in the top six and fills the net. Don't think so, but who knows?

I don't think so either, but it's fun to dream!