I had a similar team. The thought process being, “trade us McDonagh, or an offer sheet is coming tomorrow.”

https://www.capfriendly.com/forums/thread/382919

as much as i would love this, tampa wouldn't accept this. mcdonagh is still a really good defenseman, boston would have to give up more. i love the thought tho!

never thought of this lmao

I think this would be a great idea, for both sides

Don't see Julien BriseBois eating $1,500,000 for the next 6 years on Ryan McDonagh, Tampa is in no position to be eating that much salary long term.

Time to be ruthless.

What if the alternative is losing sergachev?

A

And that very well could happen? Unless Julien BriseBois has some massive deal up his sleeve that we don't know about, I don't see where Tampa doesn't risk losing 2 of Cernak, Cirelli and Sergachev.

Tampa won't be retaining that much for that long.

Why not?

Becaue no one does it ever. They'd pay a total sum of $7,5M for nothing.

Do you think they would prefer losing one or more of the RFAs?

Probably not, but there's virtually no risk of that. I can't see offer sheet happening during this covid time. The threat is minimal.

And even if they did get an offer, they'd just match it outright. They can be 10% over the cap during the offseason if need be.

Tampa will have to pay to move McDonagh. They have no leverage to move him for assets with Sergachev, Cirelli, and Cernak all unsigned with less than $3M in cap space.

3) Window is closing with or without McDonagh*

His contract is a concern. It would cost a 1st for Sergachev but Sergachev will only get better. McDonagh will start regressing in 2 years. And he has a complete NTC for 5/6 years.

Okay, so lets play this out logically, they match the offer sheets, are 10% over the cap, and then have to move say 7 or 8 million. Wonder who they would move, and i wonder how much other teams would be willing to help them out.

I agree that's the case with Johnson, but not with McDonagh. The guy is still a solid top pair D in many teams and that contract isn't too bad.

Besides it's not like McDonagh is moving with that full NTC of his anyway.

Their situation is dire, but that was kind of expected. They'll manage.

How?

If eating money on a McDonagh trade is so outrageous, then how else would they get under the cap?

That's very much dependent on whether the players with full NTCs agree to be traded or not. McDonagh also belongs to this list.

Okay, so lets talk some hypotheticals. Seems like Tyler Johnson will be too hard to move. Who else? Point? Hedman? Palat? Stamkos? Money has to come from somewhere.

Gourde and Killorn are next in line. They'll clear up to $10M.

Let's be real. They're already in this position. Teams know that they need to move 7 or 8 million whether they wait to sign the RFAs or not.

Killorn is a pretty solid player, but at 31, I’m not sure how eager teams will be. Gourde will be the same thing as Sergachev. Teams will be happy to take him if theres retention.

What's the logic behind moving Point to keep Cirelli or Sergachev? Edmonton can't sign Bear, better trade McDavid.