Quoting: mhockey91
I agree it’s very important to have ELC guys on our roster but how far is poulin away from the NHL? They need to win with their current core
I would say at most 1 more year. We'll know shortly.
And while I agree they need to win with their current core, the truth is, they simply don't have cap space.
No matter how you flip the math.
They are 15.7 mil under at a 84 mil cap. You add 4 for jugs. you are at almost 20 $million
Now take out 2.5 as the cap is flat and you are at 17.5.
McCann is 3
Jarry is 3
Murray is 5
That's 11.
You add in a 3RD 1-2 minimum.
You are at 12-13
That leaves 5.5-4.5 Million left.
With 10 forwards.
You add in 2 say Simon and a rookie and that's roughly +2 million
That's 3.5 to 2.5 million left.
Even if you traded out JJ, And replaced him with a rookie. You are only adding in roughly 2 million.
5.5 - 4.5 million.
That does not include the bonus payments or the cap space needed to deal with injury call up.
It is also a low ball on many of the salaries. McCann might make more than 3, Jarry might get more than 3.
A 3RD might get more than 1 or 2. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say 2.75
Simon might get more than 1. Murray maybe more than 5.
I have been generous in rounding here and they still don't have the cap space.
There simply is no room without saying, hey lets get rid or someone who isn't named JJ or Jugs and isn't at minimal salary. That person also can't be named Hornqvist because his money is probably what is paying for Marino who's contract ends at the same time he is leaving town to Seattle. Not to mention he can block any trade and incredibly difficult to move .
As that person is probably not a goalie, there simply is no cap space.
That leaves you 3 names. A cheaper McCann, Rust(this is a no as he's the only top 6 RW), and Tanev.
I don't see moving McCann as the option. Because if the price is between a 3 million McCann who is on the verge of breaking out and a 6 million Domi, I'm gonna take McCann for cap reasons as I don't see a huge difference between the two.
That leaves Tanev who just signed, has a 10 team NTC, and I think is widely liked by the organization.
So no matter how you do the math there simply isn't enough cap space.