Stevie would sign Karlsson for 1-2.5 mill less...claim the TB discount and slap on a NMC. Its the TB way.

As it stands with how you proposed, the bolts have no flexibility to maneuver for injuries, call-ups, suspensions etc in the season. So its possible, but not functional for an organization.

I've seen people on here say he won't go for less than what Doughty took, but we don't know his thinking. If he wants to play w/ Heddy and have a good shot at the cup, he may take a discount but may want the bonuses. I think if he does make it to UFA and Tampa is his choice as rumored, I could see 9-9.5

Just to crunch some number (of course this is just their earnings and not even factoring in cost of living:

8.5mill in TB is approx. 70K less than 11mill in LA.
9mill in TB is approx. 230K more than 11mill in LA.

I don't disagree with you, but most people in here don't understand how the tax laws create significant advantages for some teams and significant disadvantages for others.

Pssss... NTC...

Pssss... They can opt where they go (does that mean they accept these? Probably not, but in this scenario they do)

Of course they do!!! From contender to dwindling hotbeds MIN, CAR and VAN.?

salary cap will be higher than 80.5 million in 2020-21

No guarantees to that. Possible lockout in 2020.

LOL I get it, these are fringe teams at best, and they MOST LIKELY say no, but this is to show that it is possible to sign EK at what people think he'll sign at. As other comments on here have said, it limits the Lightning's ability to move pieces, but it can be done. Could have traded to other contenders to make it work, but who's to say MIN/VAN/CAR aren't a few years from being where my team (TBL) are now... Each have young guys capable of getting there

Good call, who the heck knows!