Edited Aug. 9, 2018 at 12:41 p.m.
Quoting: phoenix159
3 million seems like a pretty optimistic cap increase and I would be shocked if Bellerive was ready to make the leap to the NHL full-time in 19-20.
Brassard / Sheahan / Hagelin cap hits total 9.1million, but you're not going to be able to replace all of them with minimum salary players. Even if the cap jumps 3 million AND you get Guentzel for 5.5 AND Bellerive is ready... Karlsson is going to want 10.5-11 million, which leaves you maybe a million in cap space to replace Hagelin, and remember that ZAR will be due a raise as well. You're now completely out of cap space. Technically possible, but what if the cap only goes up 2 million?
It increased by 4.5 last year. 3 isn’t crazy. But like I said, there are other moves that can be made to clear cap space. Kessel could be moved. And Oleksiak or Maatta or Johnson could as well, if Addison is ready or Rikola proves to be an NHL talent, for example. Rust would also be a player to could fetch a good return.
Ah yes, 9.1. Hagelin is a good player. But the difference between having a Hagelin quality player in the lineup and a minimum salary free agent or AHL call up is minimal compared to the difference between having Karlsson and not having him. ZAR should still be pretty cheap. Simon is there.
If you have a chance to sign the best defenseman in the league and put him with a core of Crosby, Malkin, Murray, Guentzel, Dumoulin, and Letang, you do what you have to do to get it done.