No reason to move Vatrano imo. I’m not opposed to it, because we are so deep up front, it keeping him this season would allow Denisenko to get top six minutes in Charlotte. We are a bit over $6 million in available cap space, and if that goes to Reinhart, I can see Stralman moved, to give us some cap flexibility.
We'd still have to sign someone to replace Stralman's minutes and I don't see the point in giving up a 2nd rounder for a lateral move at best. As long as Stralman stays healthy (and that's a big if), he's as good as any of the other 1-2 year stopgaps available. If there's a need to move money out on defence, Nutivaara should be the guy and he's easier to sell on a cheaper contract + younger age.
Now on the forwards front, we're far better off covering Vatrano's loss.
Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart
Huberdeau-Bennett-Tippett
Duclair-Lundell-Hornqvist
Marchment-4C-Acciari (we need a faster pace 4C if we truly want to roll four lines, Acciari just doesn't cut it anymore)
Mamin (if he's coming back, hope so)
Lomberg
The only question mark is Lundell failing to make it (probably would mean Reinhart playing center) and even then we have other capable options. On top of that, we have two veteran bottom6 players (although I'm still hoping Acciari is on the trade market) who will always get priority over Vatrano. So realistically he's fighting for two spots, actually make that one, because Marchment is Q's favourite son. Now let's see, are we going to play the guy who just signed a multi-year extension, or the guy who's been in trade rumours and signing with another team a year from now?
It would make sense to trade him now, even if the value isn't awesome (I'd take a 3rd rounder tbh), over losing him on waivers for nothing.
