Someone mentioned Wideman for Iginla. I've been against trying to bring Iginla back but things have changed. I think the main reason Iginla wanted out was he didn't get along with Hartley. No proof, I just watched the way Hartley used him. Now I think he'd be more useful for us than Wideman if he'd be okay with playing third or so line minutes and play alongside Bennett or if needed with Monahan.
Right now, thanks to Elliott's contract I figure we have $2M in cap space this season. We can buy out Raymond and gain another $1.15M. The big fly in the ointment is Smed. Is he healthy, okay trade or buy him out. If not he goes on LTI but that only happens after training camp is over. So to start we need to use his salary as part of our cap in our initial declaration and than put him on LTI. We would than need to send some players down or on waivers to get under and than use Smid's savings.
I don't see this happening but if we needed to, buying out Wideman would also save us $4M this season. I also think Jooris' days are numbered and probably replaced by a bit cheaper prospect.
|