Projected Cap Hit Prior To Days Remaining : $80,000,000
Description
It appears that Calgary intends to retain their pending UFAs and explore contract extensions if they are performing well. Conversely, should they find themselves out of contention, they will likely opt to trade these players before the trade deadline.
My assessment of their current roster is that it lacks the necessary depth and top-tier talent, with the exception of Huberdeau who appears to be entering age regression) to be able to compete for the playoffs.
In the event Calgary decides to trade players like Lindholm, Hanafin, Backlund, Zadorov, and Tanev, they could potentially acquire valuable draft picks, facilitating a rapid "reloading" process similar to what the Blue Jackets have achieved. This strategy might entail enduring a couple of less successful seasons but would ultimately allow them to maintain a solid core consisting of players such as Andersson, Weegar, Mangiapane, Zary, Coleman, Dube, and Kadri. This core can then be complemented with promising young draft picks and perhaps a few free-agent signings.
I strongly believe that the Columbus Blue Jackets have the potential to surprise many observers. They possess some high-caliber talent in Gaudreau, Laine, and Werenski, supported by a strong cast of characters including Jenner, Severson, Provorov, Texier, and Kuraly. Furthermore, there are promising young talents like Johnson, Marchenko, Sillinger, Boqvist, and Blankenburg who are showing signs of improvement and have a bright future. Obviously, the play in net is a big question mark, but I tend to believe that the goaltending struggles last year had more to do with inferior defenders and an inadequate structure in front of them, which should vastly improve under Babcock.
As the season progresses, Columbus may find themselves in contention for a playoff spot, which could prompt them to seek a rental center to bolster their lineup as the trade deadline approaches. Jarmo likes to make a splash and isn't afraid to go for it. This deal would add depth at two really important positions, center and defense, and the players coming over are both known for their defensive prowess, which should only help in the playoffs and further support the goaltending.
Some will say this is an "all-in" move, but the organization still possesses a wealth of promising talent in its prospect pipeline, including Jiricek, Svozil, Sillinger, Svozil, Ceulemans, LDBB and Brindley, and still maintain their 2025 1st rounder.
Would rather they spend less on getting a 2C for long term. Lindholm could certainly fit as a long term 2C, but his cap hit is gonna be too high to play him like one IMO. He'd better fit a team that has an open cup window for the next 4-5 years than a team that's hoping to open a cup window 3+ years from now like the Jackets.
An older C with a few Selke-worthy high-end seasons producing alongside great talent, who is on the verge of getting what could potentially be a very bad contract, and frankly, has his team in a lose-lose situation?. I don’t see why his price should be much higher than Horvat - a roster player (sure, Robinson, maybe Bemstrom or Peek), a protected 1st, and a B-prospect (LDBB?).
Unless we clear out some other D, not sure I see Zadorov as much of a necessity either.
Said it before, I'll say it again - I'd prefer to trade for Backlund. He's got great defensive numbers - which CBJ sorely need - and he can fill in as a great buffer for Fantilli, and lessen Boone's playing time/ injury risk. Not to mention, he'd come quite a bit cheaper. If he wants to sign a short and sweet extension to give Sillinger and/or Voronkov time to develop into what we hope they can be, all the better.