Emotionally in 2018
Joined: Nov. 2016
Posts: 9,290
Likes: 3,387
After thinking about this contract more and more, I've realized how much this is going to hurt them.
This means for sure that Stralman is walking, which will leave the right side of the defense very weak. Cal Foote is coming up, but he's the only notable guy to play on the right that they have. Dotchin can play with Hedman, but I don't think that's ideal. Plus, Sergachev can easily take a top four role long term. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if he develops into the second #1 defenseman on that team. He looked so good in the playoffs to me that I would have increased his role more against Washington.
Like Bolts said, they could have had Stralman for cheaper to stabilize the right side more, for less money. It also would give Sergachev more of a role to grow into and develop into the top flight defenseman that he can be. Yzerman has proven that he rarely makes mistakes, but this one is a head scratcher for sure.