Stop walking Batherson and Tkachuk right to UFA status during their primes

They also can't protect all 3 of those defensemen under expansion draft rules.

Why tf are we protecting Tierney over Dadonov.

Also those UFA signings are so unnecessary and Granlund and Saad are both overpays

You are right, I didnt consider the term properly in that regard at all! As for Dadonov, its just a different take, I like him but I thought he would have fit better. All they would have to do is sign Mete before the draft date for those 3 dmen to be an option though, it doesn't seem too far out of the question.

Why would they protect Brown OR Zaitsev over Mete? Mete is miles better than either, and definitely gets taken, when the other two definitely do not.

Also I think Dadonov is gonna be completely fine. He spent most of this year with White and Paul, which just wasn't a role he's going to be effective in. It's been a nightmare season by his standards, but he's still on pace for 20 goals in a full season. Next year he's probably going to start with Tim Stützle, who I think is going to break out BIG next year. All the tools are still there with Dadonov, and I don't think he could replicate the abysmal assist numbers if he tried. I do have some concerns about who the C is on that line though. White would be fine, but I don't love it, Pinto is the highest skill option but I don't know that he's ready for that, and Tierney probably isn't on the team next year. I actually kinda think they should kick tires on Sean Monahan.