Not to be rude, but if you have to rely on a team absolutely losing their minds it's probably not a good idea.

With the flat cap you are losing at least one of Tkachuk, Gaudreau and Barkov in 2 years. I doubt Seattle is going to be willing to take on big contracts in that same flat cap world.

You're correct, it's definitely not a good idea lol but a guy can dream.

That said, the way I look at it, we could trade Backlund to a team like Buffalo or Pittsburgh. I think we can also work out a deal with Lucic/Seattle which makes all parties involved happy. If not, there's also a chance that he retires. That's already $10.5 million in savings, and Giordano comes off the books at the same time as Barkov/Gaudreau/Tkachuk, so there are some savings to be made there as well. Again, not saying it's a good idea, but I think it's possible.

Seems to be a lot of If's. Lucic has to agree to waive his NMC first. He already has once, no guarantee he does that again. Backlund has to waive as well, and I sure wouldn't if you were sending me to Buffalo.

Giordano does come off the books, but that's only enough for a 2 million dollar raise per player. Hopefully that does it. Then you also have a big hole when Giordano is gone, and no money to replace him. Basically this trade gives them a 2 year window to win a stanley cup. That's a big risk (again assuming the deal gets done).

So, who has lost their minds? I would say a 20 man team with no cap is not practical at all.
Panther might do that deal. They get two bonafide NHLers and 5m in cap space....Doubting if Bobo and Barkov waive their NMC for Calgary though