Nopep

Sorry but he's not getting a 1st for you.

if he was a UFA i would definitely agree-- the rare case of him being an RFA will potentially drive up his price. His next contract is looking like it will be in the 4-5 million ballpark (he's on pace for 70 points so IF he keeps it up and posts 60+).. if you look at offer sheet compensation, anything over 4.2m (right now, will increase with the cap) is a 1st rounder and 3rd rounder. I think a team like Carolina would be a perfect fit for him-- they have two first rounders this year (toronto's from marleau deal and their own) plus they are a sure fire playoff team so it'll be a later 1st rounder. Only thing is that he is arbitration eligible next summer so if carolina doesn't wanna spend the cap on him he can become a UFA. but regardless, the extra season with a player is always worth more than a half season, even when it's ryan strome

Ok. And I wouldn’t offer a 1st for him. That’s not changing.