See https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/2774831 for numbers on Hughes/EP contract levels.
Summary: If Hughes' deal is $7mm AAV or below, VAN can match up to ~10.2mm AAV for EP and still field a team (as Hughes' contract goes down, VAN's match level for EP goes up). To get to that second-level compensation, the OS team would not be able to offer more than 5 years on a 10.2 AAV contract (Compensation is based on the 5-year average, not the length of the contract). To get to a max contract length and keep out of the max compensation, teams would have off ~7.25mm x 7.
I don't believe any team would try to offer sheet at a max compensation level, even for EP. I believe most teams would consider a second-level compensation offer sheet using the 10.2AAVx5.
In the end, I think VAN gets a deal done with EP and Hughes to meet the finances. But there are a couple of teams (DET included, as shown below) that could change their trajectory quickly by signing EP to a second-level compensation offer sheet. With EP, DET would turn into a bubble playoff team immediately, so the picks would end up being mid-1st rounders, mid 2nd rounders, and a mid 3rd rounder.
Le salaire annuel moyen (AAV) de l'offre hostile est calculé en divisant la valeur totale du contrat par: 1. La durée totale du contrat, ou 2. Cinq ans
As I stated in the other thread, if Hughes and EP play hard ball, VAN can't match anything at 10.2 for this season (and by playing hardball, Hughes would have to ask for above $7mm AAV). From a fan's perspective, 10.2 might not sound like anything huge, based on EP's play, but the salary cap (and VAN's poor management of it) make this a game of chicken. EP and Hughes could both forced their way out of VAN by keeping top demands.
Still a bottom 5 team in the league the next 2 years and both drafts have prospects with way higher ceilings than Pettersson
I don't think they are a bottom 5 team this year without EP, let alone with EP. With EP, Larkin becomes the 4th best #2 C in the league (Tavares, Draisatl, Stamkos/Point). Still light on the wing depth though. How does Seider, Leddy make the d better, and how does Hronek play with better forward talent would be keys.
I don't think they are a bottom 5 team this year without EP, let alone with EP. With EP, Larkin becomes the 4th best #2 C in the league (Tavares, Draisatl, Stamkos/Point). Still light on the wing depth though. How does Seider, Leddy make the d better, and how does Hronek play with better forward talent would be keys.
What 5 teams are below them? I would say Zona and Buffalo are the only guarantees. Columbus, Anaheim, and San Jose are the only other teams that might finish below them