It all starts with: Re-signing Gaudreau
If Gaudreau is gone:
- Package Tkachuk and Monahan to grab either Chychrun/3rd OA + another significant asset from AZ, 2nd OA+Zacha+ something else from NJ, or 7th OA/Sanderson ++ from Ottawa. Maybe Smith as a middle pairing LD from NJ to go along with the theme of a top pick in this draft and/or LD player/prospect to round out the top 4 in Calgary, and another solid piece to help the retool.
- Use the excess cap space to grab some UFA’s like Forsberg, Kadri, Malkin, Giroux, etc. Short term deals for some vets that have experience in the playoffs. Sutter could have a say in some of this. If we suck a lot without Gaudreau and Tkachuk out of the lineup (which is likely), sell high on Lindholm/Markstrom/other vets and begin a rebuild. The fans imo would embrace it.
If we re-sign Gaudreau:
- attempt to re-sign Tkachuk too. He needs to be kept too for 6-8 years on a 9-10m deal and continue to give Calgary a top 5 first line in the league. Gaudreau, Lindholm, and Tkachuk must be kept together at all costs if we are able to retain our star wingers.
- Trade Monahan: this has to happen regardless. Love the guy, especially during his early years with us. But, we need his cap space to remain competitive. We need that cap space to sign Gaudreau and Tkachuk to their new deals. And that’s not even accounting for Mangiapane and Kylington who need raises. If not Monahan then Lucic needs to be dealt. We can’t afford to have both on the team anymore. I remember the Pens wanting some physicality so if Lucic+for Zucker ever worked I’d be all for it. We can get Ruzicka and others to play a mean game.
|