Working through the chess moves for the next couple years. Some very strategic cap management by Tre projected. There is very good chance our core can remain intact for many years. One of our top 4 D men likely to be traded but that may not be necessary for another 2 years!
Source:
https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/flames
If we take the median of 80 million next year and project from this year's cap hit which is 72.8 million currently.
Forwards are at 39.1 million
Defence are 25.8 million
Goalies 5.0 million
Lack Buried 0.3 million
Current buyouts 1.8 million
Next year:
Forwards 39.1m - 3.1m (Stajan) = 36.0 with increases for Janko and Backlund + one new AHLer, other RFAs likely cost neutral.
Defence 25.8m with increases for Kulak
Goalie 5.0m with increase for Rittich
Lack gone, Buyouts only 0.9m
No overages likely since room on this years cap for all expected bonuses.
67.7 million total.
12.3 million to give Janko, Backlund, Kulak and Rittich raises from current salaries and add one AHL to replace Stajan.
Kulak and Rittich likely to only get 1 million raises. Janko perhaps 2 million raise depending on productivity rest of the way. AHLer is <1 million. Leaving over 7 million in cap space for Backlund increase.
I dont see Flames spending anywhere near the cap even when resigning Backlund unless one year deal only for top 9 RW (3-4 million range tops).
They will need plenty of cap for Tkachuk, Bennett and Ferland raises in 2019-20. Smith comes off books and Brouwer likely bought out of final year will help. Lets hope one of Rittich, Gillies or Parsons is ready for starter role by then.
Dont see any cap need to buyout Brouwer this off-season and have him on the books for another 4 years. Better to hope he can contribute on 4th line and SH for another 1 1/2 seasons despite his inflated salary.