Quoting: Aussie_Blackhawk
However, we don't need Cap relief. Buying out Neal this year is not good for us as it will mean 4 years of carrying some form of hit. Jones as a 4/5 prospect is no better than what we already have and Jones is likely going to be heading to Philly. As for Strome, his value is at an all time low I acknowledge that but he could fetch a far greater return elsewhere if a move is to be made.
you save 3.83 mil from neal for next 2 yrs and costs you 1.916 the following 2 yrs. when that happens every current contract outside of seabrook will be expired.
strome will need to be re-signed next year and if chicago is wanting to go for a big name, they need space/move out a bad contract cause the big names always get paid in FA regardless of normal market conditions.
strome for a potential Long term top 4 dman and a 2nd is fair (given strome has only surpsed 50pts once in his career while playing with toews kane and debrincat in this time)
as it stands right now jones is at least your 4th best dman and is still growing so saying he would not be useful in the team is well off.
6.83 mil in additional cap space is alot under normal conditions as is (let alone when the cap stuck at 81.5), and teams have paid alot more to free less. and no team under these conditions would say they don't want cap space because that is a very valuable commodity with so few teams legitimately have sizeable room.
p.s Jones would require a trade, why not go for a start FA dman and not give up assets to aquire a stud?