That's a generous contract for a guy who tore his achilles tendon twice in 6 months. You outta be able to get him cheaper than that this summer if you really want him. Be better off having 7+ mil for the deadline or different FA adds.

Minnesota will move Foligno before Ek. A team that is struggling with cap doesn’t trade one of its better contracts. Especially for another defender. They have plenty. Just a terrible deal for minnesota.

No to that patches deal

4 mill for a guy that scored in every game he saw the end of is hardly generous. Freak injuries happen, you cannot hold that against him. If you were going to hold freak injuries against players, Stamkos is worth maybe half his AAV now.

I agree with you freak injuries happen. Not saying his 2 weren't freak injuries. But once you tear your achilles, especially if you do it twice in 6 months, it takes a ton of work to get back to normal. And since it's as important as it is to a hockey player, tearing it a 3rd, 4th, 5th time becomes much more probable. I hope he is able to recover and play next season, cause him in Carolina would be nasty. I'm just saying, depending on his status, (which the canes have the benefit of knowing more about than other teams) a cheaper contract may be possible, so you could add more quality depth. I'm aware of his performance this season and every season prior so 4 mil is definitely a bargain, but again, you are taking a gamble in a sense. But I guess it doesn't matter, you're right. Worst case he ends up on LTIR again and you get the money right back to go and buy through a trade.

3.5 million for Jesper Fast? Yikes

When you have the same injury twice like this, the second surgery usually repairs the injury permanently. Pacioretty tried to take the speedy route back and it backfired but look at Duclair, he's been fine, if you want to look at other sports, Tom Brady tore his achillies in 2008 and his career after that was okay. I get Pacioretty being 34 you worry, but I still think that's fine for him

JEE is probably the least likely player on the wild to get traded. his contract, his position and his age. all help the wild long term. i think they would trade Kirill before JEE (not saying they would trade KK)