I’m not assuming anything. I merely stated it was an option, him being moved for Cozens isn’t the only option for Buffalo. They could go FA route, they could try an OS on Cirelli/Strome, they could try Cozens at 2C, they could trade with another team. Buffalo isn’t in a cap crunch. You have two players waiving their respective full NTCs while they signed their contract with that stipulation in place for security. If you go back 10 years instead of 7 you have 4 people or 14 years instead of 7 you have 9 people. Most accepted offer sheets happened pre salary cap and during the phase of salary cap being implemented so it’s hard to say if a flat cap will make GMs look more at this option. It will be very interesting to see what happens to Tampa but I wouldn’t rule out an OS entirely. I thing I believe is that Killorn will probably get shipped out first because the lack of NTC/NMC.

That's fine.

Likewise; the Preds fan in me is thinking "this doesn't help much". The Jackets fan in me, OTOH, is thinking "can he still play center? If so, call us. Please."

Then you are one of the few on here that haven't already penciled them in for one. It may not be easy to move Coburn and one of TJ, Gourde or Palat, but there are some reasons they might be convinced to waive. Coburn and Johnson are both losing ice time/seeing a diminished role and could be interested in perhaps going elsewhere. Tampa could also just buy one or both of them out if absolutely necessary to free up some additional cap space. I agree that Killorn is very likely the first player to be traded due to his m-ntc. This is the first agm where I havent moved him, just to see how the team might look with him and without Cirelli. Overall, i see Cirelli and Serg staying with Cernak being more uncertain, with Tampa moving on from Killorn, Paquette, Coburn and likely one of Johnson/Gourde one way or the other.

It's possible Nashville isn't a great fit for Johnson. I had them as the trade partner but any # of teams co UK ld work. Johnson can still play C or W, but I think a 3rd this year and next, or maybe a conditional 2nd plus 3rd or 4th is something Johnson could return.

Yeah I agree, there are quite a few users that talk in absolutes. I could see them waiving their NTC/NMC if it was favorable to them (more so the guys with less term). I do think people undervalue Gourde on this site saying you’d need to attach like 2 first for someone to take him. It’s definitely going to be the most interesting offseason (at least for me as I nerd out on the contract $ and connections). It’s probably why I always play GM mode on NHL 20.