Please note, I'm not a Panthers' expert. When Barkov was signed, I scoffed and said there's no way they can form a good roster next year. But, it looks like I was wrong... sorta, if they can get all these low money deals. I know nothing about their prospect pool besides Lundell is supposed to be great, and they have virtually no players in the minors signed for next year, so... feel free to sub some of these league minimum players (I'm also making a baseless assumption league minimum will be raised to 800k) for other prospects/reserve list players if applicable. Nut might not sign this contract, so replace him with a FA defensemen at a similar price range if he doesn't.
In short, buying out Hornqvist this offseason makes a lot of sense, as the price is cheap (1.7mil each year), and it's instrumental for forming this team. There's no way they can trade that contract with less retention than 1.7mil. I don't think they "have" to move Bob this offseason. They will next year when Hub, Weegar, and Knight are up for contract, whether it's by trade or by buyout. Overall, I think this team still competes next year, but they will miss players like Vatrano and Accari, who I think have no chance at re-signing.
McDavid, Connor
250 000 $)
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