I could see retention in trades costing even more this season than usual -- teams are already losing money this year so I can't see them being too eager to trade a player and then retain half their salary for only a 4th.

There's only like 13 (or was it 23?) games after the TDL. For someone on the final year of their deal, that's really nothing to Arizona. If anything they'd jack up the price as a convenience fee.

I think he’s probably going for a 3rd, knowing that prices are always high at and around the TDL

Dubnyk was retained for a cheap return. I assume it just depends on the player - with Demers being not very good (he’s decent, just saying he’s not worth his cap hit at all), I’d say a 4th / 3rd seems right with 50% for him specifically. I think TBL could do better at TDL tho anyways.

The better the player the more hesitant to retain this year I believe. Just because you should ask more in such a financial year if you’re going to be giving up a premium asset with cap flexibility for a team who wants to be spending the money anyways since they’re trying to win, whereas if you’re selling you might as well save money. So I’d say that scenario seeing a raise in price for retention.

Who do you see as potentially fitting the mold that would work with the Lightning but wouldn't require sending money out?

I do like the potential in picking up Hjalmarsson. I just like the presence more on the third pair; bigger guy that can focus on D only. Not saying hes miles ahead of Demers or you choice is bad. I just like him more. And hell if Minny sells at TDL you could grab Cole whod be a AMAZING grab for Tampa in my opinion (its a longer shot since Minny is good rn and they just traded for Cole but nothing is impossible and this is not unlikely).

Cole would cost more than all the names above but I think hes a great grab/ maybe the best grab for any contender if Minny sells.