Johnson is also one of the teams best assets. If not this year, I could see him getting traded next year. It's also very possible that they keep him though, and trade other players when cap relief is needed.
- jvar17

Johnson has a NTC that kicks in July 1 so I think they trade him in the next two weeks or they may be stuck with him. Not that NTC makes it impossible to trade but gives the team trading for him more power.

Ummm.... no. Just no.

There are a lot of avenues to explore that don't involve trading Stralman. You don't take a questionable defense and make it better by removing one of it's most reliable parts.

I agree that Stralman has peaked and is on a long slow decline. But, I think he has a lot of gas left in the tank before he becomes a Carle or Garrison (or Coburn). Keep Stralman.

If you are going to shed parts on defense, I would trade Girardi or Coburn. The return on either would not be great, but the goal is to shed salary and not hope for a decent return.

I am not worried about signing Point or Kucherov, as long as the Bolts have Yzerman working his wizardy and Vinik writing the checks. Both Point and Kucherov are here to stay.

There is no need to make a cap related trade unless Yzerman wants to make a play for Karlsson, Carlson, Tavares, Kovalchuk, etc.
- Feds91Stammer

Exactly. The numbers are public to see and the projected cap gives Tampa room. There is no need to trade to keep anyone we already have. The only reason to shed salary is if Yzerman makes a play for somebody like Karlsson.

Are Dotchin and Koekkoek not in the long-term plans? Ride out Stralman for a cup run next year and let him walk to be replaced by one of the young guys?
- JohnnySoze

Fringe NHLers.

Callahan only makes 4.7 in actual dollars. There is little doubt that he'll be moved. No way in hell Yzerman will move Killorn. None.

Late to this thread but this article makes no sense. The Lightning can go for it this year without worrying about salary cap issues until next year.

Next year buyout Callahan, and Coburn, Girardi, Stralman and McDonagh's contracts are up at the end of next year leaving flexibility to sign Point and Kucherov and revamp the D how they see fit.

Callahan only makes 4.7 in actual dollars. There is little doubt that he'll be moved. No way in hell Yzerman will move Killorn. None.
- Bolts91

Killorn's contract is a bit smelly, but not horrendous. He gets 3rd line mins with some PP time, puts up respectable points numbers and can really bring it in big games.

That said, his over 4m tag is a bit blegh. If he were making like... 3.2, I'd be fine with it. Also, the term is a bit much.


But, oh well, get rid of Cally and Coburn and if that's our one "bad" contract, I'm not that bummed at all.

so awesome to see someone finally say the Caps are a good blueprint

so awesome to see someone finally say the Caps are a good blueprint
- barry00

I was impressed by the shutdown ability of some of your slower-footed D-men. Strong systems will do that.

Trotz knows how to slot players into "roles". Now, this doesn't work across the board, but when you have the top-end talent the Caps do, as well as a very good goaltender, it's a fine way to go.

Hopefully your next skipper continues down that path.