A lot of these contracts are undervaluing key players. Laine for 7 years is going to cost you probablyt 1 mil more annually than Draisaitl money, which would be around 9.5mil/season. Morrissey at 7 years would likely cost you 6mil/season. Kyle Connor (if he has another season like this past one) will also cost you 6mil/season at least for that long of term. Signing that many guys to 1 year deals only prolongs the inevitable of having to pay them, and will likely cost you more in the future if they have good years. WIN is going to need to make some moves to make the cap work in the next year or two. Not a bad problem to have, but there are too many big contracts in the lineup already with young talent that is going to be paid in the next few years.

8.75 makes him the 2nd highest paid RW in the league this year, and 3rd highest next year behind Kane and Kucherov. As good as Laine is, he is just behind Kuch ( he's a 100 point player now). So I'd say this number for Laine is just about right...maybe 9.

I don't disagree with your thinking, but I think the comparison to other RW is a faulty way to look at it. Kucherov likely took a bit less money than he could've had.. Maybe it's the same for Laine, maybe nto. Laine is also 5 years younger and putting up a little less production than Kucherov playing on the second line of his team, and playing without the star power Kucherov is. I'd be extremely surprised to see him take anything under 9. As I mentioned, for comparision, Draisaitl is getting 8.5 a year. I have to think Laine is close to being worth 1 mil more a year.

Eh.... squabbling over pennies now...... man, I wish I had these pennies!!!!

Does Trouba even want to continue his career with Winnipeg?