zeke
Well-known member
Dubas talked about accruing cap space during the season, so I doubt they keep a full 23 man roster. At least on paper for most season days. So they do currently have space to play with.
Assuming Dermott and Mikheyev sign 2-3 year deals for about $2 million, and Spezza resigns for $700k, that leaves $2.7 mill with 12 forwards, 5 dman and 2 goalies signed. Potentially closer to 3 million if they can sign Rodriguez for closer to $700k rather than Barabanov's $925.
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Johnsson-Kerfoot-Engvall
Robertson-Spezza-Barabanov/Rodirguez
Rielly-XXX
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
And you always have Marincin/Lilly that can take the last spot for $700/$863k. Actually, they have a ton of players with at least some NHL experience making $700k for the Marlies (Agostino, Petan,Brooks, Marincin, Warsofsky, Rosen), so injury call ups will never be a cap problem. That allows them to go after a Demello, Dillon, Braun type of D, or add in a trade, although I don't think they'll cap themselves out heading into the year.
But to make an impact addition they'll still need to move Johnsson or Freddy's salary. Johnsson would give them $6.2 mill. I assume by moving Freddy and signing a Griess/Khudobin/Talbot type they could save $2-3 mill or so. Either move likely creates enough for a Brodie level addition. Doing both would create $8-9 mill in cap space with the following roster:
Hyman-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Nylander
Robertson-Kerfoot-XXX
Engvall-Spezza-Barabanov/Rodriguez
Rielly-XXX
Muzzin-Holl
Sandin-Dermott
Campbell
Khudobin/Griess/Talbot
I like it.
I still see Dermott there on the 3rd pairing with a real salary being an inefficiency that Dubas won't like - especially since at the end of the year he's gonna have to move him or expose him anyways.