I could be wrong here, but I'm pretty sure the going rate for retention has been a 4th a the deadline for players on expiring contracts. Considering you'd be getting 2.25 years out of that, I'd have to imagine it's not as simple as saying "Ok, here's 3 x 4th round picks!". Arizona, who continue their rebuild, would effectively burn 1 of their 3 retention slots for the next 3 deadlines. They've already burned 1 until the end of the 25-26 season by retaining on OEL.

Basically, Arizona's strategy to this point has been to get paid to take on dumps, then, when one or more bounces back, they flip them to get a second payday on them, typically including retention as they're expiring contracts. Handcuffing yourself away from that strategy, IMO, would cost more than some late round picks.

Hawks decline. They'll definitely get more than two 3rd's and a 3rd pair D man for McCabe

that's funny, there is no way the kings do this deal. They wouldn't do Durzi for McCabe straight up, let alone with picks attached. Durzi would immediately just about be CHI's best offensive D man (basically the same numbers as Jones), probably the 2nd best overall - and is paid nothing for another season.

Ah didn't know there's a limit on number of retentions you're allowed. Good stuff mate!