Im not sure if you know. But Kempny just had an Achilles injury a few months ago. So he's out for a while.

ah, did not know that, bummer.

Can get more for Risto, how about upgrading that RW instead of getting a pick

I'd imagine the cap savings are a big factor in that trade. So in that sense, the pick works well.

For me, there's two things that really work against this. One, we passed the buyout period for Hutton so he'd be waived to Rochester in this case. Two, from all indications Vegas isn't trading Fleury.

I think that defense is a touch thin in the top 4, but I like the idea of that bottom pairing. That's pretending that Kempny is healthy of course. McCabe - Borgen feels like a pairing with a purpose, which is a nice alternate to the island of misfit toys that our defense has seemingly been for a while.

There is another buyout window after arbitration.

If I remember correctly, that buyout window is only open for players with an AAV above $4M, so Hutton is ineligible. I have to double check but I believe that's the case.

Now I am just spit balling here.
What if we could move Ristolainen for a second.
Bris Boise is under the gun and offers Adams Alex Killorn and a second for future considerations.
Buffalo saves $950,000 of cap and picks up 2 seconds.
Vegas moved Nate Schmidt for a third to make space.
Stranger things can happen.

Worse things could happen for sure, but I am a staunch supporter of Risto

So am I.