Quoting: cmcnamed
I agree that losing Danault would suck.
Instead of looking for a long term fix, I'd go more short-term as stopgaps until one of the younger players are ready to step into their roles.
Maybe go after someone Brian Boyle or Brassard for a 1-Year deal (and flip them @ the TDL for extra assets as a bonus). I think the upcoming core will fill existing holes if the team can be patient and re-build properly with their current Top-5 pool.
Another option is use Danault to upgrade and get Domi a Real Center today then use Poehling on 3rd , PP2 and PK1.
Let Poehling become the 3rd line shutdown Center for the next 2-3 years then trade whatever Center you acquire.
Danaults 3m cap for 2 years is highly appealing to a lot of Cash Strapped teams from TBL , STL ,CGY,CHI,NSH ,DAL and NYR for example .
CGY's Backlund would be ideal in a deal for Danault . CGY gets to clear 2.3m for 2 years and 5.3m for 3 years by moving out Backlund for Danault who's a better faceoff Center .
CGY will pay to get a Center 4 years younger who produce's at the same pace as Backlund for 2.3m less as this now gives them 10m this year for Tkchuck with enough cap to offer him 7-8 year term today.
Backlunds 30 and his main value is as a goal scoring back checker with great hockey IQ especially in defensive situations .
his contracts 5 years at 5.3m which isnt ideal but the way i figure it is in between Domi -Backlund -Gallagher he's gonna be the playmaker they can rely on.
We could easily get a 1st and a Conditional 2nd requiring Danault to re-sign or it becomes lets say a 5th
CGY gets younger , Get Tkachuk locked up and prepares for a playoff run as at this point all they need to do is pick up a LD at the TDL and they're set without Tkachuk missing a game .
i know it sounds crazy but we could get a good 3 years out of Backlund , having a playmaker who can set up shop in the OZ doesnt require him to be fast to keep up as he quarter backs the play.
Danault fits CGY needs as they need a Defensive Center who just 26 who can play with CGY three 24 year old Centers for years to come .
Backlund gives Domi the Center he needs to get 30 + goals with Gallagher likely able to push 35-40 because he can set up shop instead of heading to the corners digging pucks out as thats the beaut of Backlund working out of the NZ .When Poehlings ready to dominate top 6 head to head vs some of the leagues best in lets say 2022-21 training camp we'll retain on Backlund who hopefully will have increased his value between Domi-Gallagher increasing our profit ontop of the picks we got for helping CGY with their cap issues so they can lock up Tkachuk before the season starts .