If the cap is really going up the rumored 9M-10M then the Isles with have the ability to move Bailey out in his last year and target someone like Tarasenko.

2023-24 : 83.5M
2024-2025 : 86Mish
2025-2026 : 92Mish
So Bailey contract will be expired before a major jump
Tarasenko will be UFA in 2023-2024

paying over the minimum for a UFA forward not even in the lineup is probably not the best use of cap for a contending team

Could be 775K come on

Isles need to move out Bailey next summer and possibly Pageau if Raty shows he is ready to step in. Mayfield may be looking at getting the Gunbrandson contract (4x4) and I cannot blame him for taking that if someone offers it as he has be playing on such a cheap contract the last few years. Holmstrom also looks ready to move into an NHL role and may get a few games this year depending on injuries.

If Pageau stays and Bailey and Mayfield leave I think you would be looking at:

Beau-Barzal-Wahlstrom
Lee-Nelson- Holmstrom
Raty-Pageau-Palmeri
Bellows-Cizikas-Clutter
Martin
Johnston

Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Dobson
Salo-New RD
Aho

Sorokin
Varly- resigned to 2 year 2.5M contract

Yes Mayfield could get more, depending like you said if he gets offered more. I didn’t lowballed him so he might take that
Allen just got 2 years @ 3.85M so I can’t see Varlamov taking 2.5M only
That’s why I went for a proven solid back up goaltender in Vladar. I think CGY could move him for help on the top 9 and make Wolf the back up, he looks ready

But very realistic for Lou...

It's all realistic, obviously we are a year ahead of time and for all we know Mayfield and Varly are traded at the deadline.

Actually Freidman has reported that the projection for 24-25 is $88-89 million.

Vladar is worth more than that

Could upgrade the pick but goaltenders aren’t worth much
2023 4th RD pick or 2024 3rd RD pick would be the maximum on top of Bellows

The way I see it, how can he possibly be worth less than Calgary paid for him?

Why are homers like that ? You’re acting like Bellows has zero value … if you don’t like him, just say he wouldn’t be the main piece for a Vladar trade. That’s it

How is it homerism? Bellows could very possibly be placed on and pass through waivers this year. He certainly isn't worth a 3rd

Kylington cleared waivers and played better after
Same for Bellows …

That's not how that works. Kylington is more of an exception to the rules, he passed through waivers, then a year later proved that he should have never been placed on waivers at all. Not only that but he proved to be an effective top 4 defenseman.

Bellows hasn't been placed on waivers, he was eligible last year but was the 13th/14th forward on the team. Unless he proves to be more than a depth forward/call up this season then his value will continue to be low.

Stating one player was placed on waivers and now has value does not make it the same for others. A player has to prove their worth and Bellows has not proven to be any more than a replacement level player