Gardiner's 4m contract just can't disappear. 20 even 21 man rosters aren't practical.

Since Sabres would have to get over the cap minimum you should be able to include Gardiner in that exchange...but that retention is something that's very unlikely to happen due to that term.

Problem is Gardiner's 7-team NTC. If he wants to stay, he can make moving his contract quite difficult for the Canes.

First off dude, The league wont allow a 20 man roster. You need at least a 22 man roster one forward and one defenseman scratched for injuries. Right now if you get an injury you've 0 cap space to bring up any player. And that doesn't get Jack Eichel either.

20 man roster with 30k in cap. I like the idea though, between Aho, Staal, KK, Martinook, Trocheck, and Necas, the Canes definitely dont have enough center depth

It’s not against the rules to activate a 20 man roster, it’s just extremely dumb. One injury and you’re toast.

What do you mean by toast

Outside of having no farm or assets left,

Trocheck wouldn’t stay so that frees up money. Necas and Kotkaniemi would require more.

No retention and add Gardiner to the Buffalo deal. Flip Bokk and Rees in the deal. Add Rees as the 3RW. Drury as 4C.

Go Sellgren or Nishikin as 3LD and Keane as 3RD

Well this offer doesnt get retention. The good- its all forwards, which is literally the most important thing to buffalo, the bad is- the sabres need top 6 forwards in a huge way, not sure how many of those are here. The firsts are from a very good team and also got kicked down the road. Its a pretty painless package for carolina. I would say, just add gardiner, but honestly he plays a position where we have so many kids, hes just gonna block some kids development. Theres no way this goes with retention, and im fine with taking short term cap back, but not at left d.

It’s an expression. It means you’re done for.

Ah man, I was hoping for some buttered toast.

Lmao no i understand that, my question was why? There isnt really a problem with running a 20 man roster.