If they stay in it

canes pass. we are trying to win

Why would Minnesota does this? No from Minnesota

Canes do pass, but not because we are trying to win. We pass because we wouldn’t retain money on a player making less than 800k. Additionally, a 7th isn’t worth moving a depth defender out and leaving us with no depth.

This would require a higher pick (5th?), no retention and an associated moves for the Canes to get another depth defenseman.

Well it's less about MN and more about Fleury. In the scenario where he's playing well, but MN is out of a playoff spot, it's plausible that he and Guerin would come to some sort of agreement on trading him to a playoff bound team. He doesn't have much time left, I doubt he's all that interested in starting the golf season early.

He may not have the stomach for another mid-season trade, so that would end it right there. But if he were to express desire, I'm sure Guerin would do try and do right by him.

As of right now, it's probably a stretch to see him being traded. But this really isn't that incendiary of an idea.

I'm with your first point on this mostly - I don't think Fleury signed a 2 year deal with a full NMC just to ask out. He's got his rings already, so it's not like he's gotta go chase one - I think it's more likely he stays around with competitive Wild team this year and next and helps be a leadership voice for the next wave of guys they're bringing along.