Quoting: Tkachinla
I couldn’t believe it when CGY got Tanev and Markstrom for no assets from VAN. Seems crazy, but that’s how UFA works.
Sucks for CGY to lose Gaudreau after the season the team had. It puts a serious wrench in the direction of the club for the next 3+ years.
And I will say this now: if CGY loses Tkachuk, it will hurt me as much as it will hurt Leafs fans if Matthews walks. Nothing stays the same forever.
I could’ve seen CGY competing again for years if Forsberg replaced Gaudreau in CGY. But that ship sailed.
Maybe JT Miller keeps the roster going for a bit?
Who knows. Realistically, a rebuild would be the smart long term move for CGY. But it’s a tough pill for fans to swallow right now.
That's for being realistic about UFAs. But really teams don't even have to go into a rebuild when expensive UFA depart.
Let's imagine Flames had allotted 9.5m for Gaudreau but he leaves anyway. It's how Calgary will spend that 9,5m is so important. And it doesn't have to spend all this season or even on a left winger.
Same with Tkachuk. There's about 9.5m likely gone next season. How to spend his allotted cap....either internally or going in the UFA
You mentioned Matthews. Well I have said for a long time, he is leaving the Leafs for a big US market. I think LA after Kopitar's contract expires in the summer of 2024.
In summer of 2024, Leafs will have Matthews, Nylander, Muzzin, Murray contracts expiring for a total of 28m. Leafs have no reason to "rebuild" but to use that 28m to get just as good or nearly as good replacements. Yep there will be drop off from Matthews and maybe Nylander but should have more value from Muzzin and Murray..