This team is not legitimately competing next year. Use cap space to take on short-term bad contracts to help teams that are close to the cap and want to win now. Use at least one of the first round picks to draft a centre.
Jared Spurgeon re-signs in Philadelphia for 6 years, $45.5 million. Salary is retained this year so Philadelphia can make more moves after Comcast said they want to make the playoffs next year. MIN takeS on Andrew McDonald and his cap hit, which is why they receive three quality assets in the trade. McDonald is bought out.
Jonas Brodin immediately slots in on the second pairing next to Jeff Petry after the departure of Jordie Benn. MIN receives a young right shot defenseman that is the odd man out with Josh Brook and Cale Fleury knocking on the door.
Tampa Bay gets some much needed cap space without giving up a player off their current roster. MIN receives a young right handed centre that would have more opportunity in MIN than Tampa Bay.
Toronto receives a big body that doesn’t need a new contract until next year. MIN receives a right wing, right shot that can score. Fulfills both teams’ needs.
This is the big trade. BUF receives two players that can step into the lineup right now while fulfilling two of their needs, another scoring winger after locking up Jeff Skinner and a middle 6 centre. In return, MIN receives one of their own and a top line centre for the future. They also take a contract back to help BUF have more cap space to make additional moves if needed.
He's definitely a boom or bust guy. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if he does turn out to be like Granlund, I've always been a fan of him.