Quoting: HOCKEYBOY448
Cap makes it incredibly tough to resign Hertl long term. Trading Chytil to facilitate this move still leaves us short a center (3C).
The cap is why I feel NY would prefer a guy like Hertl to Eichel. less assets to get him, and less cap. combine that with the fact Hertl is more proven in the playoffs which NY needs.
but I get the cap crunch and looking towards the future. I've done a dozen simulations and for the sharks we can work Eichel into the lineup and as the kids start getting into their arbitration/ offer sheet eligible years our bigger older contracts will be coming off the books combined with cap increases making it easier for us to keep our core younger players.
For us looking at 24/25 seasons Eichel, Meier, Eklund, Dahlin, Bordeleau, Leonard, Ferraro, Knyzhov, and Hill all be entering or in their prime years. combine this with our better prospects Coe Weisblat, Raska Gushin, Merkley Kinazev, Hatakka, and Gaudreau making contributions will make us a strong young team, and that doesn't take into account any players picked up in the 22,23 or 24 draft.
combine this with a few smart trades and FA pickups and we should be Cup contenders.