Quoting: Xspyrit
2. I don't see any reality where Zub is worth more than 4.5 AAV. He's 27 and has 39 pts in the NHL (0.29 PPG = 24 pts per 82 games). Agents can get some money for defensive abilities but offensive production is needed to get more. So unless Zub hits 40+ pts this season, I don't see this changing.
3. You don't sign him long-term, unless you plan to trade Chabot or Sanderson. Or unless they decide that he is a RD long-term? That would surprise me a lot. Sign an extension which expires as a RFA so he could be traded down the road. There's Tyler Kleven that they are grooming for a 3rd pairing LD role
4. IMO he will get over 2.0 (see Evan Rodrigues). We just can't afford him. Angus Crookshank AND Ridly Greig will be on the team next season (if health allows). Maybe even Formenton?
5. Kastelic is extended, Kelly is a on 1-way next season, unfortunately
6. Kastelic is the 4th line center going forward.
7. Don't need to sign any forward, maybe a Brassard type, a versatile veteran
9. Yes we will need a RHD, but in your scenario we acquire Mayo (I understand his contract but does he really return a 1st?). We'll proably need a Holden type, maybe that'll be him as he is cheap, experienced, well liked and can play BOTH sides.
10. Agreed that Sogaard needs to continue developing. Hellberg could be a hell of a re-signing... If not, Talbot or another veteran will come here for cheap.
Extra note : don't need to dump Zaitsev as he will be bought out if the salary cap rises like that. Very cheap buyout in terms of $$$
Now :
- ABD is proving that he is not worth more than the 8 M$ club (Tkachuk, Norris, Chabot, Stutzle). If he's too greedy, just trade him. 8.5 AAV MAX for me
- Brannstrom on a shorter deal and cheaper AAV (maybe 1.5 AAV?)
- ok I can live with overpaying Zub a little
- Sorry Motte but no spot for you (save 1.5 AAV). Angus Crookshank takes his spot for half the price
- Center, Place Holder : Mark Kastelic (already on a 1-way)
- RW, Place Holder : Parker Kelly or any other million forwards waiting for their opportunity
- Goalie, Place Holder : Hellberg? (at around 1.0, save another 1.5 AAV here)
0.5 + 1.5 + 1.5 + 1.5 + 1.0 + 1.5 = 7.5 saved
Minus Crookshank salary, minus Zaitsev buy out and that's it. Invest in a better RD or go with Mayo
Clearly you are not trying to build a contender with your scenario, but let's say for the sake of player dev, sens decide to stay the course another year... that is still a tight cap crunch. As soon as sens try to improve the team with vets or extend Pinto to longer than 3 years (which they will try to do if the plan is to stay the course), we run into cap issues.
In your example, you don't save as much money as you say:
Crookshank vs Motte Budget = 662 000$ savings
3 Minimum salary PH vs what I have budgeted for the PH = 1 000 000$ savings
Brannstrom is arbitration elligable so he can wait until he has a contract he likes but let's say Ottawa Hardballs him, 1.5 is absolutely the least he will get in arb. 1 500 000 savings.
Hellberg vs my Goalie PH = 1 400 000$ savings
= just about 4.5M total of savings + 950 000$ of Mayo
= 5.45 AAV budget for a top 4D if we get rid of Zaitsev salary
Buying him out will cost 2.8M of cap space (because of his 2M bonus that cannot be bought out)
Budget for D now down to 2.65.
This team has way below average depth, basically no veterans and a below average goaltending duo. Not a winning formula.
My conclusion:
- Buying out zaitsev is not an option
- Even if we manage to ship him out, we must chose 1 between quality depth, proven goaltender or a top 4 d-man.
- Trading for Mayo allows us to have 2 of the above... and maybe all three if Mayo develops well... at the cost of a 1st round pick.