And I have explained to you that you are wrong over and over. Even if they manage to get Kapanen at 2.75M (which isn't going to happen) they are still going to be right up against the cap with the same ****ty Dcore (probably slightly worse) that they have now.

Duncan Keith is a brutal example. It was signed under a different CBA where these massive contracts were used to manipulate the cap and by front loading it with very little in the final years which is exactly why the new CBA doesn't allow those type of contracts anymore. The contract runs until he's 40 yrs old which is a big difference between one that runs until your 36 and takes away essentially your last chance at landing a contract by extending it 2 years for no benefit to the player. Your entire position on 'oh he won't make very much in those two years might as well take the same amount he'd make in less time over a longer term' is completely nonsensical. If he expects to make 6Mx6yrs = 36M it is possible that he would take less per year but more in total such as 5Mx8yrs = 40M therefor compensating for what he could potentially earn in those 2yrs and having it guaranteed instead of hoping he's still healthy and good enough to play. But to take the exact same amount is ridiculous and makes no sense at all.

I've outlined it pretty clearly. It is possible for them to keep pretty much everyone especially if they move brown and zaitsev for space. But that doesn't solve the problem that their d core is till brutal and its not going to get better unless they are willing to move a forward to make it happen. You can't simply add a top 4 dman with out expecting to take on more salary. So if leaf fans like you are happy with their dcore then right on. Enjoy mediocracy and wasting what has the potential to be modern dynasty because "oooooo we can't give up kapanen, leafs say no to that deal. oh no johnsson hes a first line winger leafs defintely say no"