I think this is the best long-term approach to managing our team. This sets us up to be really well protected in the expansion draft and puts us in a strong position heading into the 2021-22 season. This roster might not crack the playoffs in 2020-21 (without career years from JOFA or breakout performances from Eeli/Tomasino/Fabbro), but having a breather year will ultimately keep our window open longer and let us restock the cupboard.

1st line: JoFA; no need to change anything here.
2nd line: Duchy needs a shooter and we need a physical presence in our Top 9. All Tolvanen does is shoot, so that should work. I’m skeptical of him as a long-term solution on the 2nd line (I think he is a volume shooter that is middle 6 + PP specialist), but lets give him a shot. The big move is to go get a big body who knows how to play the Predators hockey that we all know and love. I honestly have no idea what it takes to get Horny but I assume the Penguins would like some picks and wouldn’t mind getting rid of his cap hit. If we have to throw in a C prospect then whatever. Added bonus that Tolvy/Hornquist would be great additions to the 2nd PP unit. Tolvy acting as the Forsberg and Hornquist sitting in front of the net.
3rd line: We can’t buyout Turris, it would be idiotic. If we could pawn him off for a late draft pick I’m all for it, even if we have to retain$1-2M. Assuming no one is interested, I think we give him his last chance by putting some youth alongside him. Maybe, just maybe, we can spark something inside of him to be closer to his former self. Give Tomasino a shot with a skilled veteran. Jarny this swiss army knife plays the other wing.
4th line: Sissons and Trenin are a great combo of skill and grit. Rocco adds some hustle. Whats not to love. Trenin and Watson would be interchangeable, but ever since Trenin fought Chara he has had a special place in my heart.

Trading Bones: I freaking love Bonino. I would love to keep him until he is 35+ and have him as a lockdown 4th line center and PK guy. But We ultimately need cap space for a 2nd line winger if we aren’t going to be able to trade Turris. I think we can definitely get a 2nd rounder for him from some team that needs depth, be it Calgary/Edmonton or whoever.

1st pairing: Quit trying to trade Ellis folks. We have a bonified 1st D pairing that is aging but still in their prime. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke.
2nd pairing: Give Ekholm/Fabbro another shot; Fabbro is still developing. But in case it still doesn’t work out, go sign a really solid Top 6 defender that could swap with Fabbro if needed.
3rd pairing: As mentioned above, its really important to go out and get a really solid right-shot defenseman. Kevin Shattenkirk, Dylan Demelo, and Trevor Van Riemsdyk are all guys who fit this category and might be available. I think you pair them with one of our up-and-coming rookies (Davies, Carrier, Allard) or Tinordi if we absolutely have to. I really think Tinordi is more of a 7th defenseman.

Expansion draft: 4+4 again. Protect Top 4 and JoFA + Duchy. I would assume Sissons gets taken which would crush my soul. If Joey underperforms again this year there is an argument to leaving him unprotected, but that is VERY unlikely.

2022 and beyond: Ideally Turris has a decent year and we are able to trade him at the end of the season to a team that was robbed of their 3rd line center in the expansion draft. Tomasino hops up to the 2nd line and Tolvy/Horny go to the third line with Sissons. 4th line becomes Rocco-Pitlick-Trenin. Juice/Ingram in goal for a cheap but effective tandem.

Definitely not interested in giving up a top 40 pick for Hornqvist. I wouldn't want him unless PIT was retaining significantly, or NSH was sending a problematic contract back.

$3M feels too high for a guy you're slotting into the 3rd pair, but it's probably just for one year, as Seattle probably grabs him over someone like Sisssons.

Feel like Pittsburgh would give you Hornqvist for little to nothing as they need to just take the cap space and run.

Sounds good to me, just didn't want it to be unrealistic. Do you think they would retain $1M if we gave up our 3rd rounder this year or would it be straight up?

Why not just do Horny for Bonino straight up? PIT gets a 3C they know and NSH gets a physical winger they know.