Unexpected or not

Barkov wants to compete for a cup so he's gonna go to Washington hahahaha

He would at least like to go beyond 1st round

I think the value is there but i think the rumor is he was going to sign an extension this summer at some point.

I love Barkov, but I doubt there's a way to bring him to DC. Only way the Panthers accept something like this is if Kuzy has a pretty big bounce back year. And given how tight the cap is, why would the Caps move Kuznetsov if he's producing like he should and will be cheaper? No question that Barkov is the better player, but we'll need the money and cheap players like McMichael to enter the picture.

And if Kuznetsov doesn't bounce back, there's no way in hell Florida does this. At that point, Kuzy will be looked at as a bad contract for a troubled player. That plus two future pieces doesn't get a top 10 center.

Even if they think Barkov will walk, my guess is that they'll either roll the dice or go after a Hertl or Zibanejad in free agency, or maybe even try and swing an Eichel deal. Kuznetsov would be low on their list of replacements.

There is no ˝bounce back˝. It is last year of Barkov's contract, so now or never. Kuznetsov might be best replacemant available, given his production and cap hit. Money plays a role in whole story.