I'm becoming more and more convinced that taking a gap year next year and then reloading the following year is the way to go. It seems like it'll be really tough to move enough cap to bring in the pieces we need in this market. It sucks cause this team isn't that good, but the core is still there.

However, management's comments indicate that they will do the opposite.

I would prefer an aggressive offseason, where they add one or two good pieces while shedding some cap. I’m just not sure this management group is capable of it. It’s a lot easier to simply punt the season, take a couple flyers, and see what happens

Probably the best way to go, especially with the 22 and 23 drafts having franchise altering talents. I'm all for dumping cap to Detroit as I'm a red wings fan but this would be the most logical approach to this season. I also don't think Benning is really willing to pay to dump contracts he signed either, makes him look bad. It's going to be tough enough to sign petterson and Hughes with the cap situation they are in let alone paying for better players.

What assets are you going to use to 1) make some cap room and 2) add a couple good players?

Hopefully Seattle would take Eriksson if we also send Gadjovich and a 3rd. There isn't much to choose from Vancouver so maybe they'd consider it. If that happens we can sign a player or two, but nothing earth shattering.

We also don't have excess assets to spend. That was one of the reasons why I didn't like the Toffoli trade; If they deemed Madden expendable (which is probably the right call), then I would have rather attached him to Eriksson a year later. Instead they used a good trade chip on a rental.

Definitely tried to speed the rebuild up but set it back probably double the time

I'm fine either way. What I fear is they pay to move some contracts out via trade and buyouts but then use the money to sign guys like Haula, Savard or pretty much any other mid tier UFA's to deals in the 3-4m range (both AAV and term) in an attempt to improve depth. If they're going to be aggressive clearing cap then they need to use that cap on an impact player. If not then punt the season and see what happens.

well I agree with what you see as this off season game plan, the Boston offer is horrible as much as I want Lauzon its going to cost more
6 year deals are horrible, keep them in RFA status or give them 8 year deals - no in-between ****.