Why would you spend 2m on NAK and then not play him?

If that's the asking price, let him walk. Patches for that price maybe but would rather get a true top 6 forward

Seems like too much for McMichael, not even producing at a half ppg pace.

He’s a great defensive center and it’s a 5 year deal for a 23 year old

While I agree it seems like too much, he won't get less because Protas is getting 3.3m - he won't get paid less than him.

A lot of Caps fans really really like McM - I've never been too high on him...he is definitely a solid 3c though and with the cap raise, 5x3.5m for a younger, more offensively skilled Lars Eller, I'd take it

I'm wrong, his numbers are a bit better then I thought they were, this would be a fine contract if he continues this production in 3rd line minutes.

Yeah I can see that - he is getting 2nd line minutes now (around 17-19 min a game), but the Caps do play everyone pretty equally for the most part (or try to). If he gets anything above 4m (which I highly doubt), that would be too much