I think Gusev gets more than that. I would expect a short bridge/trial contract around (or at least) $4 million by 1 or 2 years. His KHL pedigree warrants it (and he'd probably make that/more there), and he certainly would not lock himself in to an undervalued prove-it deal like that for an extra year.

I don't think you get that much in picks for Reaves/Eakin.

I don't think Nosek gets that much, especially considering he is an RFA.

I still think Vegas will have an extra cap casualty or two compared to this.

Re: Gusev. He is an RFA, so the 1 year bridge might work, but I don't see VGK giving him $4mil AAV, if it isn't through arbitration. You could give him $2-2.5mil, if Nosek gets less than projections, and those trades happen.

Re: Reeves. I dont really care what they get in return, but there is always 1 team willing to overpay a "sandpaper" guy. He is an expiring contract, so he shouldn't be that difficult to move.

Re: Eakin. He put up 22 goals in an expanded role, and is 28 with 1 year left on a reasonable contract. Based on Detroit getting a 2nd and 3rd for Nyquist, this is not unreasonable.

Re: Nosek. Probably gets less than this, but I just used Evolving Wild's Contract Projections

Only other guys on this roster with a reasonable buyout would be Holden or Haula, but Haula would be foolish. Otherwise you are talking about trading their "core" players. I was trying to get this team under the cap without moving those "core" players.