Monahan is better then Cirelli, Flames are probably a lotto team with this trade

Monahan in my opinion relies completely on JG. When JG had a down year he followed suit. I don’t think there would be that much difference between Mony and Cirelli. Trade Gives us a RHS for the top 6 In Johnson while at the same time allows us to strengthen the 3rd line significantly by slotting Backs and Mangie With Dube.

I think this makes us far more balanced. One thing I did not take into consideration is TJ”s NTC which means we would have to protect him in the expansion draft. Might have to reconsider this trade based on that.

NTC's dont have to be protected, only full NMC's (TyJo's contract also becomes a partial NTC next year anyways). I'm a big fan of Cirelli but he is a 2C at best, he could become a ROR level player but will probably end up more along the lines of RNH as a shut down center. More or less a younger version of Backlund.

Tampa aren't in a position to retain on any contracts.

Well then they willbe keeping the Johnssons and Gourdes and losing a prized RFA cause I don’t see anyone taking one of those guys without retention / sweeteners. Full retention on Johnson + Cirelli does not get you Monahan.

How much cap do they really save with that trade though? 2M? They need to cut almost 11M in cap.

No. Absolutely zero interest in a Bennett-for-Andy swap. Bennett dreams of having the sorts of scoring seasons Andy has previously had, and a late pick does not make up for that.