Nope. They will find a way to keep Cirelli.

No, you trade Killorn who has a limited NTC

hot take,

trade stamkos

Dunno about "guaranteed" Killorn M-NTC will be easier to move. Palat and Johnson also M-NTC before Point needs an extension.

It makes sense but no team will give full value for him at this point just based on that he is very injury prone and isn’t getting any younger

If im NYR i just offer him 6.3m x 5 years. Either he signs it or he says no and signs for less bridge in Tampa like they usually do. But in that case either you get him for way less than Chytil and 2 1sts or Tampa matches and you throw their delicate Cap game dance into chaos. Either way NYR benefits.

That is a legit strat but with the amount of movement between Tampa and NYR you I feel like JBB and Gorton have the kid of relationship where this wouldn't happen. I'm super worried about offersheets in Tampa this season, I dont think it comes from NYR this season tho.

I feel like that speaks to a much bigger issue in the NHL, in that GM's dont use the tools created in the CBA to most improve their team and degrade their opponents team, and at the same time, that the working relationship between two GM's could be that tenuous that it would sour their ability to do business in the future.

I understand why its a thing but you gotta admit no matter how you spin it it's going to be received as blindsiding another GM. Compared to negotiating a trade that could be seen as mutually beneficial for both team you're seeking to downgrade your opponent.

The Rangers can't make the money work taking Johnson back, they'd be taking on almost 12m in salary this way including Cirelli's new contract and none would be going the other way. And this is WAY more than they'd be willing to give honestly.

Say what you want about the optics of an offer sheet but it sets a clear guideline for compensation. If JBB said "this is what you have to do to get Cirelli" then hell yeah JG just says "fine we'll offer sheet him, not have to take a terrible contract we don't have space for and not have to give up one of the best young players in our organization." Or JG says "forget this there's no deal to be made" and moves on with his life.

Yea not happening