I mean, hey. At least you have your first rounder lol.

Not sure what you are doing with Zetterberg? Is he retiring early? Can he not be placed on LTIR? Otherwise, I believe he would stay and play, no?

Zetterberg is currently contemplating retirement. Assuming he retires this summer, the best option for the Red Wings is actually for him to officially retire, because A - they don't need to pay him at all, and B - he will count almost $2 million less against the cap. I'm not sure if he can be put on LTIR, but that may not necessarily be a viale option, even if the NHL allows it.

If he doesn't officially announce retirement he goes on LTIR and only counts as a contract. Detroit has no problem paying him if he isn't on the cap

Atleast Ottawa has karlsson and duchene to trade, thats atleast 2 first round picks and some young players to rebuild with. I hope were worse than ottawa, we need to get hughes

If Zetterberg retires and Detroit is hit by the recapture penalty for 3 years that's like what you said $4.3 million per, Detroit would be better of putting Z on LTIR and only owing him his $3.35 million this year and $1 million per f the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 seasons and be done with it. And why wouldn't th NHL allow Z on LTIR he would retire due to his back that came from playing hockey. The NHL allowed Hossa to retire due to being allergic to his uniform and Z is calling it quits due to his bad back from playing hockey.

Exactly, That what's going to happen too. Pretty sure the Larkin signing is being held up by Z situation as well.

Why would Columbus pay a 3rd & 4th for Vanek?
If they had wanted him, especially at $3M, they could have just signed him in free agency.

According to General Fanager, the Wings would only be on the hook for two more seasons at $4.3M if he were to officially retire, should the NHL not allow LTIR for some unknown reason. Like you said, they granted relief for the Blackhawks and Hossa's bizarre situation. (As you all know, I am a Hawks fan but that was quite questionable with the timing and circumstances to me anyways). No idea what the league's threshold is in determining such cases but I believe there should be some latitude with Detroit and Zetterberg.

Because he chose to sign in Detroit. Plus it’ll be at the deadline, so he’ll cost less than $3 million.