Can't see the Sens trading the SJS 1st...

that holtby contract would be a tremendous mistake, even if the caps don't have an heir to the throne

All four 10M goalies are likely to miss the playoffs this year. Holtby is playing kind of average. So he gets 9.5 for life? I'm not sure either is more valuable than Carlson.

If the cap goes up 2M, this team "only" loses Djoos and Boyd to the cap. If it doesn't go up that much, they're also having to trade Oshie around August. If Oshie hits 30 goals again this year, they might get something back for him. If not, these two deals could put the team in a bind.

Boyd is having a pretty good year.

I just picked a team that would be in need. Buffalo, Columbus, Edmonton, New Jersey, Calgary, could do the same trade. Sam is very, very good already. He only needs one more year of seasoning in my opinion but who's to say B Mac doesn't love him some B Holtby and wants to keep him long term? I (could be wrong) think he's a goalie that will be top 10 well into his mid 30's.

I see that. I'm only saying, if B Mac (and none of us know for sure) loves and wants to keep Holtby as well as Backstrom, it could be done.

I think signing those guys to that money and term would be a mistake. Sure they are great right now but you'd be paying them a lot until their late 30's.
I would think that a deal sort of like Nashville gave Rinne would make sense, but a little more money and term. Something like a 4 year deal at around 7-8 per for Holtby.
Backstrom will drop off but is still tremendously skilled. Get him signed shorter term

I would love to have them do the shorter term...But, they are gonna see that Kuzy, Carlson, Oshie got 8 year deals and they are gonna expect them. Maybe the Caps can get away with 6 or 7 years...
Most expect Holtby to walk but I'm just showing that an alternative can work money wise. I think if they put bonuses in and make the remaining 2 or 3 years drop off in 'real money paid', they could trade them off with a pick if they would have to move salary then.

It could be. I just see that he is a top 10 goalie falling out of bed, he's never hurt, his teammates and organization love him, he is a near perfect person/player to build a franchise around, I think the owner and GM know this and it might tempt them to do what they can to keep him. I like Samsonov a lot and think with a year or two he can be phenomenal but he is still an unknown with all those intangibles I just mentioned. Going with Samsonov will give the Caps much more flexibility to keep sign and bring in others, and not potentially 'put them in a bind' as Eli said.

Well, you might be right in your point on term. Last word we heard was Backstrom was asking for 5 years but BMac is only wanting 3 years. Kudos to you masterjuddi!