Bright side- maybe the reason why they didn't take a cap dump is because they are planning to use that cap space on something productive. I'm not holding my breath but maybe Fitz is planning a big offer at a guy like Hamilton, Landeskog, or even a big name RFA. Or a combination of a few moves for guys like Coleman, Martinez, Fleury, etc. Idk maybe wishful thinking but I'd be more than happy if we put the cap to moves like that instead of taking salary dumps.

If this makes you feel better, consider Lou may not have wanted to give the Devils those picks, even the same ones, and Fitz wouldn't have come in any cheaper?

Also, he did just get Graves. IF he got another defenseman, he would have had to expose Siegs, which then would have burned a 3rd that was spent to get him. Expect moves post-expansion. Or even consider Siegs was part of those moves as he can be a decent shutdown guy.

Lou not big on deals with division rivals.

Round 1: Pre-expansion (July 17)
Round 2: Post-expansion (July 21-23)
Round 3: Draft (July 23-24)
Round 4: UFA (July 28)

Graves in round 1
Got a few more bites at the apple

Agree, its a long offseason

Well, to be fair there, he made a deal with the Devils two deadlines in a row, but those made his team better as the Devils had the assets he wanted. As far as THIS goes, ARI has cap space which is universal so he could deal with anyone.

I hope they don't go for Landeskog or Hamilton.

I love the idea of MAF, Coleman, Martinez

I actually would love to get cap dumps. Easy way to get picks

Maybe but their recent trading history could have made them to get a similar or better offer

Graves and Sieg are similar players so Im not sure why we got both

And the likelihood of Sieg getting selected isn't very high

Lou and Fitz have a good trading history

What do you think we would do in round 2?

Here is where I am on Siegs....he would be a smarter selection and I would rather SEA have to pick between AJ, Bastian, Butcher, and Subban.....

Round II (a): One salary cap move
In those few days after rosters are unfrozen (post expansion, pre entry draft), that is where we would see the types of deals that move 2021 picks for salary cap

TB: Johnson + pick
VAN: Eriksson + pick
EDM: Neal + pick

Lou had to do his version (Ladd plus picks), because he needed to sign a d-man before expansion draft (to meet minimum requirements). In order to sign a player, he had to move Leddy and Ladd out first. Then he could fit in Andy Greene.

My guess is Fitzy does a smaller one to try and reclaim a 2nd rounder

Round II (b): A veteran acquisition
Ryan Murray type of trade
Maybe even Jones, Fabbro, whomever
Maybe 3C option too

Round III: NHL Entry Draft (July 23-24)
Settle the #4 overall question
Maybe trade a late pick or two

Round IV: UFAs
Don't think we will be in on Hamilton or Landeskog...but maybe a few savy veterans, a back-up goalie
Will still be last opportunity for teams to move cap before signing their RFAs, UFAs

Remaining Schedule
July 18: Protection lists announced
July 18-21: Seattle interviews possible selections (from pool of unprotected players)
July 21: Seattle Expansion draft
July 21-23: Next mini trade frenzy (rosters unfrozen)
July 23-24: NHL entry draft
July 25-27: FA signing frenzy
July 28: UFA period starts
Sep 22: Training camp begins
Oct 12: 2021-22 season begins

McCrimmon said he believes the period directly after the expansion draft will be filled with moves (signings/trades) because teams have been holding off on them to not change their expansion protection situation."I expect it will be real busy in the NHL for that time period."

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) July 17, 2021