All the depth signings are nice but I think giving Trochek that much money and term could look really bad really quick

Way too much for Troch. I really like him but think his next contract ages poorly and he falls of a cliff in about two years given his size style of play and injury history.

That said, 6x6 is probably enough to get him comfortably (even tho I don’t think it’s a good long term move). And that gives you added flexibility to upgrade one of Namestnikov or Mikheyev.

Got it. Everywhere I have seen, Trocheck is getting $7mil plus. But I do agree - probably doesn't age great. That being said, I don't see who else would be a suitable 2c for the Caps. Kadri will be too expensive and will age poorly, Copp maybe. Going for Miller or PLD would be fine, but giving up that many assets would be tough to swallow for the Caps. But I guess it evens out because of the younger age of those two?

My order of preference would be

Giroux / Copp - giroux probably signs a shorter cheaper deal and would fit well. Copp is younger and signs a reasonable deal, would also be a good fit. These guys allow caps to also get a top end wing

Troch / Kadri - I’d try to keep term to 4-5 years if possible but that’s probably not realistic unless you go 5x8 for Kadri, 6x6 max on Troch

Trade for Miller / PLD - would just be expensive from an asset perspective but Miller would be a good fit.

Yea I like Trocheck as a player but he has had 1 season in FLA and 1 season in CAR where he was a 7.5m player. Obviously depends on the price, but I would rather swing for the fences on a truly elite guy either in trade or FA, even if they play wing

For me it would be:

Gaudreau / FF - they are so good that McMike or Eller can play 2c and be fine

PLD / Pasta / DeBrincat / Fiala - same as above and all on the younger side, but would take a ton of assets in a trade

Miller / Kadri / Giroux - older and a higher acquisition cost but a longer track record of continued success

JVR - could be a complete bust but would be really cheap and only has one season left

Copp / Trochek / Strome - have all had some great seasons along with some ok ones, generally the profile of guys who decline the steepest after FA

Tavares / Toews / Benn / Seguin / P. Kane - too old with too many injuries and too big a cap hit to justify taking without getting a significant sweetener

As for future assets, I'm honestly fine with them giving up anyone and everyone that is not McMichael or Fehervary -- they are in a really unique spot in being a contender with a very explicit four year timeline but also with the cap space to really swing for the fences, I feel like you just have to go for it. If it takes Lapierre + 2 1sts to get DeBrincat, do it and deal with the consequences later. The team will already be bad when Ovi retires, might as well make it really bad then