Quoting: MaxDomi13
Klefbom retires?!
His shoulder has become arthritic, and he's 27 years old. Unless he finds a means to consistently manage the pain, he has considered retirement. He didn't want to come back to play during the play-in, but did so more as a favour reportedly. I think odds are his days of playing hockey are done.
Quoting: Ottawa_Kev
In my view Kassian is a border line 4th line player / AHL player. Given that he is vastly overpaid, the team could make better use of the money by signing some UFAs right now that would provide more value than Kassian provides. Even if your valuation of Kassian is correct there is no way Seattle takes on a contract like that without being paid to do it. If there are teams that value Kassian as a 3rd liner we need to find them and trade him there now. We know that Tipp doesn't that is why Kassian was a healthy scratch. He has got to be moved.
Your evaluation of the player and his late cold streak do not define Kassian as a fringe fourth line forward in the NHL. His usage, TOI, and production are all in range of a typical third line player.
Is he overpaid? Absolutely. Does he take dumb penalties? Absolutely.
Seattle's required - by rules of expansion - to take at least one roster player from each team based on exposure requirements. They'll have their choice of Archibald, Khaira, Kassian, and a collection of AHL players. They can either burn their selection on an objectively worse NHL player on an expiring deal, gamble on a UFA that may not sign with them, or they can take the piece with the most objective risk-free value. That's going to be Kassian. Edmonton doesn't need a kicker. If Seattle wants one, any add-in would likely be minimal.