Joined: Jul. 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 29
A few thoughts:
-- I think that Kakko deal is fair, but wouldn't be surprised to see anything in the $3-4M x 2-3 yr range.
-- I think your Blais deal would've been good before he got injured. Now, I would think he may come in closer to his qualifying offer ($1.6M) on a 1 yr prove-it deal.
-- The Gauthier deal depends largely on how he performs for the remainder of the season. If he excels, that's a good bridge contract; otherwise, he may be let go or signed closer to $1M x 1 yr.
-- I also think Kravtsov is up in the air; however, I can't see him willing to take under $1M for multiple years - more likely he gets his qualifying offer and either takes it or sticks to his guns with the trade request.
-- Kreider and Trouba aren't going anywhere; regardless of how anyone feels about those contracts, they are still serviceable players who control where they play.
All that said....
Strome controls his own destiny. If he wants to stay in New York, there's probably a way to get him signed in the $5-5.5M x 5 yr range (especially if Gauthier and/or Blais are gone and Kakko comes in closer to $3M AAV). But based on his performance the past couple seasons, he could be asking for upwards of $6.5-7.5M x 5-8 years, which we just can't afford. Although I like Strome, I think it would be good to see whether or not Chytil can fill that role and Barron can make the jump to the NHL full-time.
Thanks for the post! Prompted me to think about this a little more in-depth.