Lucic won’t waive his NMC for Ottawa.

It’s been reported he will waive to go pretty much anywhere. Smaller market like Ottawa may even be preferred, less media attention than Edmonton.

This is a pretty creative idea. I think that Ottawa might consider it if Edmonton retained $1M (so Melnyk would be out only $2M on Lucic this year, for a net of at least $4M) and added a 2022 second.

Is there a source to that? I haven't heard anything about it.

I think Lucic would waive to go anywhere else in my honest opinion. I was thinking about salary retention but it kind of plays out how it should

Bobby Ryan is due approx $20.5MM for the remainder of his contract (assuming the $2.0MM signing bonus is paid by OTT this year)
Milan Lucic is due approx $16.0MM for the remainder of his contract (assuming the $3.0MM signing bonus is paid by EDM this year)

By taking Lucic, OTT already saves $4.5MM in total cash / salary paid, even though his contract goes for one more year. There is no way that EDM should be retaining any salary related to Milan Lucic if this trade were to happen.

The sweetener here for taking on Lucic is Poolparty who has a high perceived ceiling. EDM also shouldn't be giving any additional sweeteners above and beyond a 4th round pick to make this trade work.

I actually think this is a net neutral trade to both teams, with upside that pays tribute to each teams goals... Good idea.

How do you figure Lucic is due only $16M for the remaining period of his contract? He's due $3M this year and $18M for each of the next 3 years.

I think you’re trying to say he’s due $6.0MM for each of the next three years for a total of $18.0MM... which is incorrect. That’s his cap hit, no actual cash owed to him. His contract was weighted towards the front half of the term. He’s due $3.0MM Salary and $3.0MM bonus on July 17th this year. Following that, he’s owed $4.0MM, $5.0MM and $4.0MM cash payments (mix of salary and bonus) for the next three seasons.

You're absolutely right. I should look into contract terms and specifications more carefully. I jus assumed that the terms of the remaining years of his contract were the same as this year's. Thanks for correcting me specifically about this contract and generally about assuming that cap hit and compensation are equal. Real general managers have to deal with this additional aspect all the time; so should we. And, obviously, I withdraw my opinion about adjusting the proposed trade. @coreydox did an even better job than I originally credited him for.

Bury Brodziak and Manning, you’ll get $2.0MM in additional cap space.

Call up Jones to play left side with Benning/Persson.

Gagner should be playing third line right wing, and Khaira should be fourth line centre. Haas will likely be given opportunity on third line centre to start.

Bring up benson to slot in the left (likely given time on third and second) to increase competition on the wings.

Your first line has some deadly potential.

I think I'll try this.

This is what I would do... Not perfect, but definitely an improvement to the roster this year, and provides lots of space for future years: https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/1319700

Really well done.

I think both of us should have included one of Ottawa's three 2020 sixth-round draft picks, just to fill up Ken Holland's dance card.