It does, but $14-$15M combined between the two annually is a bit frightening.
- kingcong39

It sucks to see these looming cap issues before we've seen a playoff game. Tough balancing act.

Ryan Miller wins tonight and he has 375 wins, number 1 for american goalies. Congrats to him I've always like Miller.

It sucks to see these looming cap issues before we've seen a playoff game. Tough balancing act.
- Lunaion

It is but it's reality.

Duchene will want $8M easy and Toffoli at least $6M.

The only real issue after next season is Okposo, but that's a $6M issue.

Toffoli isn't worth 7 a year, just my opinion. I know you mean Skinner and Duchene.
- SABRES 89

You're right on Toffoli but I have no idea what anyone is worth anymore with the way contracts are going LOL

I like the idea of Toffoli and Duchene, but their combined salary in 2 years is scary if you count on an extended Skinner.
- kingcong39

Cross that bridge when we come to it. Lots of things can happen between now and then. Duchene/Stone would be the 2nd best forward on this team as as soon as the ink dries on the contract if they were to come here. I really like Skinner but he’s completely one dimensional, however he has mastered that one dimension. Having pairs of Eichel/Skinner and Duchene/Reinhart does get the juices flowing though. Mittelstadt could shift to the wing or ride as the 3rd C.

You're right on Toffoli but I have no idea what anyone is worth anymore with the way contracts are going LOL
- kingcong39

Its crazy. Seems as soon as McDavid signed everyone else went up 20% over night.

It is but it's reality.

Duchene will want $8M easy and Toffoli at least $6M.

The only real issue after next season is Okposo, but that's a $6M issue.
- kingcong39

Duchene is a long shot and certainly going to take more than 8m. I won't spend any time thinking about it, until there's reason to think it's realistic. A lot of teams will want him, if he even hits UFA.

Cross that bridge when we come to it. Lots of things can happen between now and then. Duchene/Stone would be the 2nd best forward on this team as as soon as the ink dries on the contract if they were to come here. I really like Skinner but he’s completely one dimensional, however he has mastered that one dimension. Having pairs of Eichel/Skinner and Duchene/Reinhart does get the juices flowing though. Mittelstadt could shift to the wing or ride as the 3rd C.
- Pegullaville

Now we're talking. That's what scares me about skinner too. I still feel like a lot of fans are still in the new girlfriend stage with him. He doesn't do much away from the puck. But he can finish.

Now we're talking. That's what scares me about skinner too. I still feel like a lot of fans are still in the new girlfriend stage with him. He doesn't do much away from the puck. But he can finish.
- TheHank

Signing one of those guys in free agency also allows us to keep the assets that would have been used to acquire a player of that caliber. Could have a bottom 6 of guys on ELC’s or on cheap 2nd deals in a few years. That’s where Smith, Asplund, Olofsson (would be a winger on one of the two top lines), Davidson, Pekar, Malone, Oglieve, and whoever we draft with the first rounders to round out the forward ranks come into play.

Now we're talking. That's what scares me about skinner too. I still feel like a lot of fans are still in the new girlfriend stage with him. He doesn't do much away from the puck. But he can finish.
- TheHank

Definite honeymoon stage. You can see the issues Carolina had with him.....but he is a much more dangerous threat next to Jack than he was in Carolina

Definite honeymoon stage. You can see the issues Carolina had with him.....but he is a much more dangerous threat next to Jack than he was in Carolina
- Lunaion

That's the conundrum with him. His value is all over the place. I still don't think he gets more than 7.5x7 on the open market. I would hold fast at that number if I was botts. Pay him the whole amount up front to make it more enticing for all I care.

Signing one of those guys in free agency also allows us to keep the assets that would have been used to acquire a player of that caliber. Could have a bottom 6 of guys on ELC’s or on cheap 2nd deals in a few years. That’s where Smith, Asplund, Olofsson (would be a winger on one of the two top lines), Davidson, Pekar, Malone, Oglieve, and whoever we draft with the first rounders to round out the forward ranks come into play.
- Pegullaville

Check out the bogo pre game issue on Twitter. He chased and flashed this dude on NJ for 30 seconds.

Maybe post it too?

Good stuff[/img]

That's the conundrum with him. His value is all over the place. I still don't think he gets more than 7.5x7 on the open market. I would hold fast at that number if I was botts. Pay him the whole amount up front to make it more enticing for all I care.
- TheHank

JB has the worst imaginable bargaining position. I can't see how he could take that approach. He's pretty much pot-committed on this one, even if there are some warning signs.

His best approach is that they want him, you look good next to Jack, and we need to keep it reasonable to make additions.

JB has the worst imaginable bargaining position. I can't see how he could take that approach. He's pretty much pot-committed on this one, even if there are some warning signs.

His best approach is that they want him, you look good next to Jack, and we need to keep it reasonable to make additions.
- Lunaion

It's a poopty spot that's for sure

JB has the worst imaginable bargaining position. I can't see how he could take that approach. He's pretty much pot-committed on this one, even if there are some warning signs.

His best approach is that they want him, you look good next to Jack, and we need to keep it reasonable to make additions.
- Lunaion

I see where Hank is coming though forsure. I think if he signs a deal similar to the one E. Kane signed last year % of the cap wise it probbaly comes in around $8M this offseason. Anything more then that is buyer beware but like you said Skinner has all of the leverage in the world.

It's a poopty spot that's for sure
- TheHank

I don't like 8.5x8, but I don't know how they say no. Anything less is great work.

I don't like 8.5x8, but I don't know how they say no. Anything less is great work.
- Lunaion

If that's where he's at then tell him you won't do it and make him to waive his ntc and trade his ass. Zero (frank)s given

Definite honeymoon stage. You can see the issues Carolina had with him.....but he is a much more dangerous threat next to Jack than he was in Carolina
- Lunaion

To be fair, he also busts his @$$ when on offense and in the offensive zone.

If that's where he's at then tell him you won't do it and make him to waive his ntc and trade his ass. Zero (frank)s given
- TheHank

make him? going to threaten to play him next to sobotka or something?

I don't like 8.5x8, but I don't know how they say no. Anything less is great work.
- Lunaion

You think 8.5m aav is good for a career 50pt player? I'm not trying to be a Richard but seriously?

make him? going to threaten to play him next to sobotka or something?

- Lunaion

Threaten to play him in the press box

To be fair, he also busts his @$$ when on offense and in the offensive zone.
- kingcong39

I don't think I've even seen anyone work harder in the ozone, but it just makes it painfully obvious that he's conserving his energy everywhere else.

You think 8.5m aav is good for a career 50pt player? I'm not trying to be a Richard but seriously?
- TheHank

I think I'm generally agreeing with you on the player here. I have concerns for sure. The 8 years is what bothers me more than the $. If he hits 40 and goes to UFA, he'll get more than 8.5, if he wants it.

I'm just trying to put myself in JB's shoes.

Let's pretend a miracle occurs and they do all of extend Skinner, trade for Toffoli, and sign Duchene as a UFA.

That would mean the projected combination of Eichel ($10M), Skinner ($8M), Toffoli ($6.5M), Duchene ($8.5M), and Risto ($5.4M) would be $38.4M for 5 players.

Add in Sam ($3.6M) + Okposo ($6M, no way around it) and you have 7 players totalling $48M of the potential $80M cap, or roughly 60% of your cap.

You'd have to play hardball with Sam after the 20-21 season, along with any other RFA's, and then don't mess around with Dahlin the following year.

That would potentially put the 21-22 cap at $60M for 8 players (Sam goes from $3.6M to $6.6M ans Dahlin gets $9M), or roughly 68% of your maybe $87M cap.

That would leave you with roughly $27M to sign 7 forwards, 5 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders (estimated $2M per player).

Things get ugly quick, and Okposo's contract is a giant problem. You'd maybe have to look at trading Risto, Sam, or even both eventually.

It's why I would aim for someone like Brock Nelson, or try and trade for Kempe with Toffoli while hoping and praying Mittelstadt fully realizes his potential.

It's far from easy to put this together.

I don't think I've even seen anyone work harder in the ozone, but it just makes it painfully obvious that he's conserving his energy everywhere else.
- Lunaion

I'm not sure it's possible to work that hard everywhere on the ice and have enough left to be as productive as he is offensively, just from a cardiovascular standpoint.