UFA's don't sign somewhere so they can be traded.

UFA's can sign and subsequently be traded to ensure they get an 8 year deal though. They are unable to get 8 year deals from any team other than their own. Do your research before throwing shade.

Yeah. I also don't see how having Vanek on the 4th line @ 3.5 million makes any sense.

Would be worth it to keep him? He's a PP machine and I love watching him play

I would certainly love to keep him. I just don't see Maclellan giving him more than $7.5mm per year.

I'm aware they can't sign for 8 years otherwise. What I said was UFA's 'DON'T' Sign somewhere so they can be traded. And why would a team give up assets for one more year of an old John Carlson? It does not happen. part of being a cup contender is having to accept that good players sometimes leave.

Jesus. This is going to be difficult to explain but i'll try to simplify it for you.
John Carlson signs with Washington so that he receives a contract with a length of 8 years. 8x8.25 = $66mm. EDM, to give John that amount of money on the market would have to give him a 7x$9.4mm contract to also equal $66mm. That extra year provides EDM wtih an extra $1.2mm in cap space for 7 years.

I understand winning a Stanley means we have good players. In all honesty, I would love for John to stay in Washington. However, if he is going to leave, making an attempt to monetize his departure is how you maintain long term chances at winning multiple Cups.

Got it?

Or the other team can just send the Caps a 3rd round pick for Carlson's rights and then sign them to an 8 year deal themselves... like most UFA trade situations play out. PLUS, then Carlson is not STUPID enough to sign to be traded to a team that had to give up a bunch of assets, therefore making that team "worse off" just to get him. Sign and trades don't happen.

Grubauer's rights and a 3rd are not getting the #12 overall. Grubauer and the Caps 1st is not getting the #12 overall.