Treliving's quote about taking emotion out of contract and trade negotiations is still resonating with me.
Arguably our two players who had the biggest impact last year (Gio and Hudler) become UFA's at the end of the year. Both had very team friendly cap hits relative to their 2015 performance. Big raises to the both of them, coupled with raises to Gaudreau and Monahan put us in a very different cap situation in 2016/17. To the extent that you could not add any meaningful pieces to the team. So do you think the team as currently constructed will grow into a championship contender?
My money says no. Treliving will look to deal one of these two players between now and the deadline for significant assets for the near future. It is no coincidence that our two significant off season acquisitions could be construed as younger replacements for these two players.
Team friendly contract extensions for both of them would be ideal. Or a meaningfully higher salary cap. It will be interesting.
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