I actually think Melnyk MIGHT do this well at least consider it

Team: 2020-21 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 28, 2019

Published: Oct. 28, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Alright folks. This trade happens the day after Seabs gets his $4M in bonuses paid next year. Ultimately leaving $27.5M in cap over the next 4 years BUT paying the low low cost of $16M over the next 4 years.

But wait, there's even more savings! Bobby Ryan costs $13M over the next 2 years...It's really $15M, but Bobby Ryan also gets $2M in bonuses that'll happen the same time as Seabrook...so that needs to be net out of it.

So really...with this trade
Year 1 Melnyk SAVES $4.5M in Cash
Year 2 Melnyk SAVES $1.5M in Cash
(read part b below)
Year 3 Melnyk Spends $5M in Cash
Year 4 Melnyk Spend $4.5M in Cash

Two other KEY (VERY IMPORTANT) factors...Time value of money AND options down the road

A.) Saving all that $$$ in Year 1 and 2 means a lot. At the very least it's the % increase year of year that he makes on the money saved. Best case it get invested elsewhere and makes more.

B.) He's likely even be able to use some of that draft capital. Picks or prospects that OTT doesn't mind losing down the road to work his hedge. Trade Seabs again before the last signing bonuses kicks in, but retain cap. What that means is retain HALF Seabs cap hit in the summer of 2022...Send some picks with it...Melnyk wouldn't pay $5M...he'd pay $500k in year 3 and $1.25M in year 5.

This makes it an entirely cash positive trade since the team that owns Seabrook's contract ON the day of the signing bonus pays that bonus.

IN CONCLUSION.
By doing this trade...it's POSSIBLE Melnyk can keep the $6.875 cap hit for the rest of Seab's contract...while SAVING $4.25M from what he needs to pay Bobby Ryan for the last 2 years of his contract.

PS...don't worry about the lines. That's not the point of the post.