Rules:
23 contracts.
Under the cap.
Using each team once or less.
You probably want a plan past year one.
Using no team more than once, I tried to make a team that will have the highest chance at as many possible cups the next few years. This is tricky, cause of course you could load up with every ELC possible and go for 1-2 years of hard competition. But it gets harder after that. Here I tried with some players at valuable contracts, some ELC's, and some expendable pending UFA's that you literally just have to let go of after this season and the next. The idea then is to model yourself after Tampa's recent years, and just replace the older players while they're still good and desirable, with fresh, young talent on ELC's or draft picks.
As far as the scratches go, I might even prefer if they don't play in the league this year, and instead have them step in as already impactful players which you get 3 cheap years out of.
With this team, you have to be the favorites of this years' cup by a mile. You let go of Hall to sign EP next year, and then you might have to let go of Couturier and for sure one of the top4 D to make room for the ELC's expiring in two years. You bridge them all as low as possible. If Lafrenière develops into what we hope he will, you probably trade MacKinnon or Huberdeau with an extension in place for another influx of young talent and picks.
All things considered, I think even with elite players being moved, this team is by far the best in the league this year, down to gradually becoming probably the best team in 4 years.
Let me know what teams you come up with by @-ing me!
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