A lot will depend on whether Hedman really does require a surgical procedure after the season, and how long the recovery would be. If it's something similar time wise to Point, Gourde and Kuch's injuries, then he'd likely miss close to the first half of next year. This would obviously change things, as Tampa could then use at least part of his cap hit via ltir. This would possibly allow them to keeo one of Coleman or another dman(Savard, sign a ufa maybe) depending on cap hit and how the numbers would line up based on Hedman's time missed.

Oilers aren't giving a 1st for 1 year of Palat when they have all the leverage.



Probably doesn't need the surgery but they will tell him to get it so they can go over the cap again.

You are not getting 1st for Palat, it could be other way where you may have to surrender 2nd to get rid of Palat contract which is merely a rental at 1 year. Teams are going to feast at Tampa this year because of cap unless Tampa pull another one of LTIR shenanigans, which again will be big talk in hockey world and no way NHL allow they LTIR player to get back in time for playoff 2nd time around

Plenty of teams would take Palat for free or even give up a mid round pick for him but they wouldn't be giving a 1st.

The guy they're gonna have to surrender picks to get rid of is Tyler Johnson

Gonna cost a lot more than a 1st to get Seattle to take Johnson over Cernak. Would cost a 1st just not to take Cernak imo.

Not even close. Tampa may not get a 1st as part of a bigger trade involving Palat, but they won't be adding to move him. Yes, just like all these teams have feasted on Tampa all these years in trades due to Tampa's cap. Heard it year after year, but I'm sure posters like you will be right this time! Palat has plenty of value and should get at least a 2nd+later round pick or player.

Tampa broke no rules using ltir either, and if Hedman has to be out due to needing surgery in the offseason, they'll use it again as allowed and/or needed. Let me know when you have a say on the rules committee though and influence those changes.

Tampa is easily protecting Cernak. A 1st+a player like Joseoh or a decent prospect is all Tampa is going to pay Seattle, as Johnson is overpaid but still has value. He is good for ~40 points so he is far from a pure cap dump. There are 20 other teams that he has to make available, so if Seattle wants a ridiculous return then Tampa will look elsewhere.

They didn't tell Kucherov, Point, Gourde, Stamkos etc to have a surgery, and they won't tell Hedman. If whatever is bothering him can be healed via non-surgical means, they will go that route.

It's laughable that people think players of this caliber would risk having surgery and possibly considerable playing time during their primes to alleviate some cap problems. Tampa broke zero rules with Kuch or any of their other injured players over the past few seasons, and used the same ltir rules that have benefitted several other teams. They didn't even maximize their ability with it, as they could have very easily put Stamkos on ltir before the trade deadline(instead of doing it retroactively) and then traded for even more assets using his 8.5 cap hit.

Hedman wouldn't miss the whole regular season anyway, as if it is a similar type situation as the others, he would be back late December/early January, depending on when he has the procedure. Tampa wouldn't be able to bank on being able to use all of his 7.875 in relief, but could possibly use some. No rules would have been broken, but maybe Tampa would be able to keep one additional player they ate/were expecting to lose.