Yep. Then they'd only have to fill the 5-6 holes they'd create after giving a (frank) ton of cap space to EK.
- jmatchett383

What holes? Girardi, Callahan, and Coburn are garbage. Easily replaceable with Call ups. Karlsson would replace Sergachev and would be an upgrade. Palat and would be a loss but nothing special. You can easily replace guys like them.

as much as it may bother you, the leafs will be the best team in the east this year and no, it won't be close.
- HellsBells

They got to make it past the first round before you can crown them kings of the East. That D-core is bad and they have done nothing to make it any better. I agree that they should be a better team next season but losing JVR is nothing to overlook like most Leaf fans are. Sorry your team hasn't won a Cup since they only had to beat 5 other teams and beehive hair styles were a thing. Now they can't even win the paper Cup this year. It's gotta be rough...

What holes? Girardi, Callahan, and Coburn are garbage. Easily replaceable with Call ups. Karlsson would replace Sergachev and would be an upgrade. Palat and would be a loss but nothing special. You can easily replace guys like them.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You wanted to get rid of 4 of their top-6 defensemen after this season (Sergachev, Stralman, Girardi, and Coburn) and are only replacing them with one, at a higher cap hit; whether or not you think 3 of them are "garbage" or not, you still need to replace them somehow, so there's 3 holes to fill, with less cap space to do so.

You also said that you'd easily move Callahan, plus said "Palat and Killhorn can be traded as they have limited NTC or Clauses that dont kick in until later on. That is another 7.75 mill." That brings us to 3 forwards (you probably only need to trade 2 to make the space work). So that is 6 players being lost after this year with only 1 being added. So yeah, it would create some holes and, since EK is probably looking to make $10+/year, you'll have a lot less cap space to fill those holes.

I'm not saying that Tampa Bay shouldn't get EK, simply that his cap hit extension, coupled with the assets they'll have to give up to get him (likely young players with low cap hits and picks/prospects), is going to create issues with their depth. What Tampa Bay SHOULD have done, IMO, was to not extend McDonagh and use that money to cover 60% of an EK extension.

You wanted to get rid of 4 of their top-6 defensemen after this season (Sergachev, Stralman, Girardi, and Coburn) and are only replacing them with one, at a higher cap hit; whether or not you think 3 of them are "garbage" or not, you still need to replace them somehow, so there's 3 holes to fill, with less cap space to do so.

You also said that you'd easily move Callahan, plus said "Palat and Killhorn can be traded as they have limited NTC or Clauses that dont kick in until later on. That is another 7.75 mill." That brings us to 3 forwards (you probably only need to trade 2 to make the space work). So that is 6 players being lost after this year with only 1 being added. So yeah, it would create some holes and, since EK is probably looking to make $10+/year, you'll have a lot less cap space to fill those holes.

I'm not saying that Tampa Bay shouldn't get EK, simply that his cap hit extension, coupled with the assets they'll have to give up to get him (likely young players with low cap hits and picks/prospects), is going to create issues with their depth. What Tampa Bay SHOULD have done, IMO, was to not extend McDonagh and use that money to cover 60% of an EK extension.
- jmatchett383

Girardi plus future considerations for Karlsson.

You wanted to get rid of 4 of their top-6 defensemen after this season (Sergachev, Stralman, Girardi, and Coburn) and are only replacing them with one, at a higher cap hit; whether or not you think 3 of them are "garbage" or not, you still need to replace them somehow, so there's 3 holes to fill, with less cap space to do so.

You also said that you'd easily move Callahan, plus said "Palat and Killhorn can be traded as they have limited NTC or Clauses that dont kick in until later on. That is another 7.75 mill." That brings us to 3 forwards (you probably only need to trade 2 to make the space work). So that is 6 players being lost after this year with only 1 being added. So yeah, it would create some holes and, since EK is probably looking to make $10+/year, you'll have a lot less cap space to fill those holes.

I'm not saying that Tampa Bay shouldn't get EK, simply that his cap hit extension, coupled with the assets they'll have to give up to get him (likely young players with low cap hits and picks/prospects), is going to create issues with their depth. What Tampa Bay SHOULD have done, IMO, was to not extend McDonagh and use that money to cover 60% of an EK extension.
- jmatchett383

I almost wonder if Yzerman wants EK for one year to go for the Cup. I know NHL salary cap changes but how can you bring in EK and pay him long term if he wants more money than Hedman. Yzerman should say, sure we want you, sure we'll give you long term deal but you're not getting paid more than Victor, he is our guy and he is better than you.

You’re quite mistaken. The Capitals are currently the best team in the East. Also, don’t discount a Pens team that was on full burnout. The Pens are still very much close to the top of the heap.

I will say, I think the Leafs are a better team on paper than the bolts and will IMO be the team to beat.
- Rinosaur

a vezina finalist in the net and the current norris winner on D makes me believe otherwise. Tampa has just as much firepower up front, and better defense and goaltending to throw on top of it..