That Neal contract has really upended the anticipated direction of the Flames cap management. Looking long term, I think it’s much more important to sign Tkachuk to a long term deal next year than it is to sign Hanifin long term. However, next year the only significant contract coming off the books is Smith. Got to imagine that one way or another, there’s a bit of money spent on goaltending next year, whether internal (Rittich takes over the starters role and gets a raise) or external.
Most people here don’t seem to expect Brouwer to play the last year of his contract with the Flames. At least it feels that way, perhaps because I’m one of them. Regardless, I think they will prioritize a bridge contract for Hanifin, dump Brouwer this year or next, but between savings from a lower Hanifin cap hit, loss of Brouwer, cap rise, and possible goaltending savings, a long term Tkachuk contract will be done. Much more important in my mind than stretching the limits this year for a long term Hanifin deal, then not having enough to offer Tkachuk next year.
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