Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
Run the numbers. Don't forget to factor in replacements for what you are losing. It's too easy to say that X is coming off the books and then not account for their replacement salaries. The picture isn't pretty.
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What?
Wideman, Engelland, Smid, and Raymond are off the books next off-season. Raymond is dead space, him gone gives the Flames 2.2M pure cap - no need for replacement. Wideman, Engelland and Smid make a combined 12M. Even if the Flames go for a legit top 4, their "replacements" will likely be less than half that. There's ample room to sign Bennett next year almost regardless of his contract demands.
Bennett will also only have 2 seasons under his belt, unless he grabs the Hart Trophy this season, he's probably not going to be looking at the same range of contracts as Gaudreau.
I'm not convinced you've looked at the numbers here.