Why would the caps do that?

You're probably off a bit. Caps traded a 3rd and a 7th to get Edmundson, I'd expect they would want the same return, maybe more, especially if you want WSH to eat the Forbort contract.

"Eat" is a strong word. Going to a UFA this summer and is still a useful 3rd pair PKer. Is he worth $3m? no, but you're also getting him at 1/4 of the cap hit for a month.

I think a 3rd or 4th would be fair. I wouldn't mind seeing a package with him and Pacioretty either.

I mean its not the cap thats the issue but just from the real dollar value alone that 1.25m difference (before being prorated) seems to be worth around a 4th or 5th based off the triple retention deals so far. throw in the 26 3rd and it's a deal.

I'd do Edmundson 50% retained for Forbort + '25 3rd + one of your '24 picks. Or Edmundson 50% retained + Pacioretty for Forbort + '26 2nd + '25 3rd, or something like that.

I’d offer a 3rd or an equivalent prospect (Jelvik or Harrison or Merkulov)

Making Forbort net salary neutral with Edmundson for cap
Purposes.

Not sure what you mean. You're asking WSH to give up a player you deem to be valuable for significantly less than what WSH paid to get the player. And you also are asking WSH to take a player to make the cap work on your end. Seems like a lot for a 5th round pick two years from now ...

I agree that a 5th isn't enough. Just pointing out that getting Forbort isn't a net negative as a player, but you're correct, there needs to be compensation for the salary difference.

Fair, but WSH would let him walk. If i were S.C., Forbort would not see the ice in a caps uniform. All signs point to the caps selling everything that isn't nailed down and giving the younger players a solid 20 game look through the end of the year.