Id like to see maybe $2M spent on a 3rd line winger too. This is the closest to realistic for Fowler that I have seen so far. Its not to realistic for the Wings to buy out Ericsson though. Too loyal for buying out that horrible contract.

Yeah, I thought I'd leave a bit of cap space for either another winger, or as a contingency fund to show the kind of space we'd have with Stamkos when it comes to giving our RFA's a raise in a year or two.

The more I consider the data, the more unrealistic I feel getting Stamkos would be. Tatar will want around 5m, at least, and Larkin, Athanasiou and Jurco (should we keep him) will need raises. That 10.5 really handcuffs us when it comes to flexibility.

In terms of buying out Ericsson, I agree that old Kenny has been and continues to be far too loyal, but it's time to cut the cord on Errorson and actually improve the team. As we can see, unless we buy him out, there's very little chance of having the space to feasibly sign Stamkos without being handcuffed everywhere else.

Thanks for the comment

Vitale has a concussion and will be LTIR. I also agree that Error won't be bought out. I do wonder if they would trade him and retain the salary amount of a Buy-Out?