Quoting: Zmach
I agree that's what he will make on average. We can't just pay him that over 7-8 years otherwise there is no cap left to resign Mcdavid and Drai. If you pay him more next year when we can afford it hopefully you can pay him less down the road and sign him to a shorter contract with an extension where his AAV is lower.
There will be cap. When McDavid and Drai are due for new contracts this team could look totally different but you are moving out cap guys then. Here is my breakdown based on guys hitting their potential
GONE: Kelf, Neal, Khaira, Miko, Smith, Kassian
Core: McDavid, Nuge, Drai, Bouchard, Broberg, Bear
Fringe: Yamo, JP, Kahun, nurse, Jones
Ideally your bottom 6 and bottom D is being refilled by the draft. The core should be steady and drive the team. Fringe guys can be traded to filling roster or continue to build
An example of Nashville's D. Weber was traded and replaced by Josi