@Eli -- this model also gives you serious cap space to trade Jensen and keep Gudas (your favorite guy).

NOTE: also saving some big $$ for Vrana "i'm a stud" extension, Siegenthaler "post-bridge deal" extension, and Samsonov "you made me an NHL #1" extension

Panik gets a 2nd
Holtby gets a 2nd and Bennett?

Panik is under contract. Holtby would be a trade of his rights prior to him becoming a UFA. Still valuable being a starter of his pedigree, but the Caps will get much less than if he were under contract.

I'm really pretty neutral to the Kempny/Gudas/Jensen debate, but the top four seems to be clicking, as is, and it's easier to replace a bottom pair entirely than a decent #4. At the same time, while Carlson is having a Norris season, it seems like the whole defensive group that makes that possible is worth holding onto. On the above team, if PK1 gets Orlov-Siegenthaler, and PK2 gets Kempny-Jensen, then Carlson shouldn't have to go back to wearing himself out on 2:30 a night of tough PK, to say nothing of the corresponding tough defensive zone starts he's taken for so many years. They've got him signed either way, and might as well let him get some points, if it isn't keeping the team from winning. Certainly worth trying out an Orlov-Siegenthaler pairing, as the year goes on, and seeing if it works, or if Orlov's offense goes Jensen when covering for the new guy.

Looks like Rittich is a terrific goalie and Bennet won't happen, even at the deadline, for Holtby. No idea what other teams he might consider playing for. That Bob contract really messes with Holtby's trade value. Three of the four most expensive goalies will probably be out of the playoffs this year, two of them on new contracts, so he's not getting 9M per year from any team that follows hockey. Maybe at most 7?