Quoting: pinslack
Even if it's something around Hertl for Caufield + Byron, 2022-2023 will be a tough offseason. Hertl at 8m means 15.5m with a 13 men roster, and that's without Suzuki Romanov Evans and Lehko resigned
Thanks, I hate it
General consensus seems to be too much, so perhaps reduce the 1st to a 2nd?
Personally, while I like Caufield and hope he will be a successful and prolific goal scorer, the reality is that he's not a sure thing yet. Hertl is, thus more valuable.
Cap space is always manageable with enough time and effort. We have the whole season to prepare, and without Caufield there is less required for the following year.
This only works if we go all in. If we do nothing, even keeping KK, we are expected to be around the bubble to make the playoffs.
We've added too much and idled too long to suggest we aren't going to do everything in our power to go deep in the playoffs. Otherwise I'd say keep Caufield and start the rebuild in earnest.
Quoting: vikhodush
Why not go for Eichel if you’re willing to include Caufield? Hertl is a very good player but you can probably get Eichel without adding a ton to that trade
I've already suggested Caufield could be an option for Eichel, but it has to mean a lower expected return for Buffalo. Others expect him to be 25% of the package (roughly the equivalent of a 1st, and he's worth more than that).
Even if that point is conceded and the total package value comes down, I'm not touching Eichel until there's an assurance that he's 100%, unless the risk is limited to picks with conditions and unproven prospects.
I'm trying not to over value Caufield or under value Hertl here, so I erred on the side of caution. I realize it's blasphemy to consider, but sometimes these are the kinds of trades you need to make.
Glad everyone enjoyed the title!