Here is how we can keep Lehner

Team: 2020-21 Vegas Golden Knights

Initial Creation Date: Mar. 2, 2020

Published: Mar. 2, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I have real trouble wrapping my head around the idea of paying the goaltender position $13M, but I have an even bigger issue with letting Lehner go on July 1st especially now that we control his negotiating rights. So, what the hell.

I just can't see Kelly and management acquiring Lehner only as a rental. Although maybe they intend on getting a draft pick in a trade prior to July 1st...who knows.

For this exercise I've assumed the cap is going up to $84M.

Our AHL team will be in our backyard next year, so there's no need to carry a 23 man roster since call-ups will be easy (I mean the actual physical call-ups, not just salary cap paperwork transactions). Let's go with 21, even though 20 is even doable.

Of course, there's also the unpleasant scenario of trading Flower. I know that won't be popular, but this is a business and the younger, better?, cheaper? Lehner can't be ignored.

An interesting situation exists with Stastny this year. In December he will turn 35. One month later (anytime after January 1st) we can resign him to a new contract. But having turned 35 he can accept the league minimum salary with heavy performance bonuses. This frees up cap space yet still pays him handsomely (the bonuses can be written up to be easily attainable to ensure him more $$). So even though his $6.5M salary hurts us next year, it's certainly worth hanging on to him past 35 since he might just accept the 35+ salary structure. And he'll be great to have around for Glass and Krebs etc. Of course, if Paul has a $1M cap hit in 2021-22 that would be amazing.

Perhaps we can fetch a draft pick for Reavo prior to July 1st of this year. I hate to see him go, but we can't fit his salary and some other team is sure to pay him more than we can.

Thoughts, fellow Knuts?