It should be EDM giving the pick rather than OTT in that swap. Ryan has a year shorter contract and produces much more than Lucic. 37 points for Ryan this year, only 17 for Lucic.

Thought about that or a straight up one for one. But the owner (Ottawa) wants to save money. That’s a fact. He’s been trying to dump Ryan’s salary for ages. He saves 4.5mil. I’d play hard with him. Might not work. If it doesn’t. Don’t do the trade. Money talks...

I wrote a lil’ verbiage to explain. Not sure if that shows up but here is that mouth full:

This is my EARLY two year plan to get out of Chiarelli’s cluster puck.

First: I like Lucic. A lot. My type of player but his scoring decline at his price point is beyond problematic. My solution: trade him to Ottawa for Ryan. If done after both player’s signing bonuses are paid Ottawa will save 4 and a half mil. During a rebuild and for an owner who, it would seem, likes to save money this would be a welcome addition for him.

Lucic provides leadership and protection during the rebuild and Ryan potentially 15-20 goals as a 2nd liner with RNH and only 3 years of contract left instead of four. I’d try and get a draft pick from Ottawa too. Is a 3rd worth 4 and a half mil? I’d say.

2nd: a third line center with skill who can also play wing if needed. My first look is Johansson but that’s not set in stone. But somebody similar who can be signed for around 3.75-4mil at one year.

3rd: I go with, basically, the same D-core and goalies (or someone under a mill for backup tender) for a year. The following year, I upgrade goal and hope the young D can step up and steal ice time and/or sign a top 4 righty.

I think this team could push for a playoff spot next season but the key for me is the cap space created for the following year.

My forward lines:
Draisaitl-McD-Kassian
Ryan-RNH-Puljujarvi
Kharia-Johansson-Chaisson
Rattie-Cave-Gagner

Of course training camp will help here but this is my first look. And, for different games Drai can be moved to 2nd line etc, etc

The only long term signing I might contemplate would be NYI’s Nelson or Lee at 6mil x 7yrs.

I’d also try to bring back Slepyshev but I believe he signed for 2 in the KHL.

The baby blue (farm team) stay stacked with potentially positive in-season fill-ins.

But around 20 mil in cap space the following season after Nurse is resigned long term. That’s good sh*t.

Also, I go after Quenneville for coach.

Anyhoo, work the problem they say...

I like most of this, I’d look at trading Brodziak, Kassian and Benning for anything. Replacing them with Brassard in that 2.5-3 mill range for 3rd line center, move johansson to the wing, bring Marody and Jones up. Also don’t think Rattie costs you a mill and I thing Khaira costs you a little more than a mill.

Brad,

Fair points. Though I’m not sure you can trade Brodziak. I do believe it’s moot, however, as he can be buried and the cost on the cap is minimal.

As for Kassian, I like the player. He has size, speed, toughness and some skill. At, like, 2mil that’s a keeper for me.

Benning is interesting. Not sure what you can get for him but trading him is a legitimate option. In my head I think he’s good at 6 or 7 D. The reason I move up Persson is that he’s a puck mover and might work better than Russell wth Nurse. And you can go back to Sekera-Russell or have Benning play with Sek. IMO it’s better for Jones to play big minutes on the farm. Benning can sit as your 7th. Jones et all are call-up options. Good depth I’d say.

I specifically chose the Johansson type because he can play both center and wing. I like having that skilled center/winger option. So we are looking at it the same way I think.

Marody needs to work on his skating. He might come to camp a step faster and force the conversation but, again, no harm having young guys ready to jump up when needed. Positives, I believe.

Currie is just a wildcard for me and you can substitute his name with anyone, really.

You may be very right when looking at Rattie and Khaira’s cap hit for next year. Hard to gauge really. But 3 goals is 3 goals. I was hesitant to give either 1mil to be fair. I just tried to be reasonable.