I don't think Tampa will be able to afford what Palat is going to want this off-season

I think he would likely take less than he deserves in order to stay in Tampa and get term, but it's definitely possible he wants more than Tampa can afford this offseason.

If Goodrow and Coleman weren't willing to stay for less, why would Palat

I know people take discounts to stay in Tampa, but that's a pretty big discount from Palat don't you think? I'm thinking he gets at minimum what Mike Hoffman got last off-seaspn

The Athletic currently pins Palat's market value around $9m a season. But I do think that's a bit high due to who he plays with (e.g. they have Rutta at $3m mv).

No way we can afford that, and probably no way he accepts that big of a discount.

If we keep him, my guess is $5m x 5.

Because Palat has been here a lot longer has made more money.

Tampa can definitely keep Palat, but it probably means trading Killorn this off season. They are going to lose at least one regardless if they want a chance to re-sign all 3 of Serg, Cernak and Cirelli after next season. Trading Killorn to gain assets while keeping Palat( who would leave for nothing if he does) is the optimal move. Tampa could also trade for a player like Crouse to help mitigate the loss of Killorn in the top 6 next year. Finally, Tampa could attempt to work a 3 team deal where they send Sergachev to L A., then use the high end prospect and/or picks from them to trade for Chychrun. This would give Tampa much needed cap room down the line and make things much easier next off-season as well.

I'm not even sure I see them re-signing all three of Cernak, Sergachev, and Cirelli, and yeah, they have to choose between Palat and Killorn at the very least

I suppose, but don't try to downplay Coleman or Goodrow's attachment to the franchise

Oh they easily can keep all 3 and likely will, but it will mean losing some depth elsewhere.

I'm already a bit concerned about Tampa's depth this season, despite how well they are playing

Both Coleman and Goodrow were never planned as long term options. Best case maybe Tampa thought they could keep one, but with both getting overpaid on their current deals, no chance.

They need one addition, which I'm guessing will be Crouse. Perry and Bellemare have been excellent adds.

No disagreement there, just feeling that Tampa's roster is starting to look a little less balanced with diverting more money to their top end pieces and less to their depth pieces. Dare I say, they are starting to look eerily similar to the Edmonton Oilers

He's been around a lot longer. Plus tampa didn't have the cap to keep Goodrow or Coleman even on extremely low deals, so we don't know if they would have been willing to stay.

Yes, so is Pat Maroon, but they are all up their in age. Not sure their 4th line has every really been NHL caliber this season

They have 13 good forwards and 7/8 good D

Meh, I'd say they have just 5 good D

Have you seen their stats? They have 21 goals in 38 games (some not played together). I don't know of any 4th lines that produce that much along with being the character on the team

Even still the top 4 are so good that they can afford to have one that isn't the best

It sounds like Cal Foote is hovering around bust territory, Bogosian is decent to me, but I don't like Jan Rutta very much

Rutta and bogosian are both decent. I wouldn't be surprised if Foote turned into a bust, but he hasn't played totally terrible. He's a good enough 6/7 D

I think Rutta walks after this season too. Wonder if another team will give him a pay raise which he doesn't necessarily deserve

Maroon-Bellemare-Perry is technically their 4th line. It's the Joseph-Colton-Raddysh line(with Katchouk in sometimes) that could use an add maybe

Except Tampa has a better defense, better goaltending, and still better F depth overall