The cap is going up by a million, no?

This is such a unique situation that the Panthers find themselves this offseason with the Yandle buyout. I think teams around the league should be licking their lips at the vulnerability of three RFAs: Tippett, Luostarainen, and Carlsson. I'm curious if any GMs have the gusto to throw in some offer sheets and try to pry one or more of them away for peanuts. Obviously, this is quelled if the players are willing to take a discounted AAV to remain in Florida, on a winning team nevertheless.

Tippett is a 2017 tenth overall pick who is already on a thirty-point pace in his first two NHL seasons, with presumably plenty of room left to grow. I would be willing to shell out an AAV of $2,055,364 and compensate the Panthers with a third-round selection to seize control of his rights.

Luostarainen was a second-round pick in 2017 and also on a thirty-point pace this season with the extra value of playing center. Another player I could see being worth an AAV of $2,055,364 for a rival team to
undercut the Panthers in their year of need. This one is riskier than Tippett for sure, but still, a worthwhile gamble to make the Panthers worse and your team better, in exchange for a third-round selection.

Carlsson is another high-risk, high-reward offer sheet candidate much like Luostarainen, already in his mid-twenties this mid-round pick from 2016 has put himself on the radar as a legitimate bottom-pairing NHL defenceman capable of moving the puck well in partnership with good offensive instincts. Still has work to do on the defensive side of his game, but teams should look to put the pressure on the Panthers by offering him the maximum AAV without compensation: $1,356,540.

Just my two cents, in all likelihood they will sign team-friendly bridge deals to keep this cup-contending team together next season, wait out the Yandle situation, and get their raises when the time comes.

Also, I don't think Juolevi holds as much value as you think, considering you acquired him in exchange for Noah Juulsen who had just passed through waivers around the deadline, and the Canucks must have shopped him to every team.

Montour is certainly a trade candidate in all this but I wonder if teams will realize the position Florida will find themselves in and hold them for ransom.

I’m not so sure Anaheim is trading to bring Montour back

Unsure, but I like to budget as though it's flat

The reason I think Florida will keep those guys is:
1. Bill Zito is a former player agent and knows how to get good deals
2. NHL is a boys club and RFA market is too taboo, but I'd like to see this play out and perhaps see Tippet on the Ducks or Kings

Also, Anahiem is likely losing either Lindholm or Manson this offseason so I feel like they have incentive to trade for him

Finally, any approximation of value is just a guess. You never know until a trade takes place

U might lose Lindholm and Manson, Montour might be an option to replace one of them

I'm with you on the boys club but I would love to see that change and start seeing more conniving/intelligent moves to acquire talent and take advantage of situations like the one Florida finds themself in this offseason.

I'd like to see that too but alas, it won't happen