Karlsson's most likely going to be $11M+

The Doughty contract sets the bar. If Karlsson ends up as a FA, the sum is probably going to be even higher.

I think the trades are a bit unrealistic. Ottawa will have to get more in order to do such a big favor for Tampa. Also my gut says point gets more in AAV. He’ll either do what nylander in Toronto did or he’ll just get a longer deal at a higher value altogether....I suppose either way for Tampa the rich get richer

#MelnykOut won't do any favors for any division rival. Even it does involve a decent top 6 forward. You'll need to find another suitor for Callahan NYR maybe? Then again, I think they are also going after Karlsson in the offseason. Plus, I think the league will step in this time to avoid situations like the one with Orpik.

Am I the only one who thinks Karlsson .. while good.. is overrated? .. Frankly I put both him and Stamkos in same bucket but Stamkos is on good contract .. over 10M for Karllsson?.. buyer beware

The rangers have over 26m in cap space with having to resign Pionk, DeAngelo, Buchnevich and Lemieux.
They can also buy out smith/staal and have and extra 6.2m in savings (saving 2.9 and 3.3 for 19-20 season)
They would trade Namestnikov(4)/Strome(3.1)/Vesey(2.75)/Shattenkirk(6.65) if it meant upgrading the Karlsson and Panarin.
I think they will be huge players in FA if Karlsson and Panarin go to free agency. They can go over cap with the 10% overage over the summer and then try and trade players.

They've had 6 picks in the top two rounds (5 in round 1) the last two years, Have two guaranteed 1st rounders this year with minimally 3 2nd rounders (two of these can also turn into first rounders). If all conditions are met, they'll have 4 1st round picks this year, and 9 over the last three years. Things are looking really good in NY, even if only half of their picks in the top two rounds fulfill their full potential.

I can see why it would be a "buyer beware" situation. Injuries and hard miles in Ottawa have made it so. Adjusting to a system in San Jose where he isn't relied on as heavily has also played a factor and one would think his injuries wouldn't affect him as much.

Having watched him for years in Ottawa though, he was the best player on the ice 98% of the time even after his injuries. I can see him making close to Doughty money on the open market.