[theslymonkey]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Early estimates have the salary cap for 2019-20 coming in at around $82 million. Let's assume it gets there.

Let's pencil in Tkachuk at $6.5 and Bennett at $2.0. Say Bobrovsky comes to the Flames, I can see them overpaying and going for $7.5. Let's see how that all fits in.

Gaudreau ($6.75) - Monahan ($6.3) - Lindholm ($4.85)
Tkachuk ($6.5) - Backlund ($5.35) - Czarnik ($1.25)
Dube ($0.778) - Jankowski (1.675) - Neal ($5.75)
Bennett ($2.0) - Ryan ($3.1) - Frolik ($4.3)
Extras ($1.4 - $0.7 each)

Giordano ($6.75) - Brodie ($4.65)
Hanifin ($4.95) - Hamonic ($3.857)
Valimaki ($0.894) - Andersson ($0.756)
Extra ($0.7)

Bobrovsky ($7.5)
Gillies ($0.75)

That adds up to $80.1 million, and you've only gotten rid of two roster players (Stone and Smith). Stone is internally replaced by Andersson, while Bobrovsky provides a replacement for Smith. Theoretically, the team could keep Stone and sign Varlamov for a significantly lower price as well, but why not go all out?

If you think Tkachuk signs for more, well, maybe you get rid of Frolik. Ho hum. He's still a decent piece but more than replaceable at this point, although it would be preferable to keep him.

He's making 7.5 now. That's a discount for Bob.