2025-2026 Cap Discussion

[impaaaaaact]

Hey everyone, just wanted to create a space to talk about the impending offseason and the possible plan of action. With CapFriendly gone this has become increasingly annoying to do, so I'll probably make an excel doc at some point.

In the screenshot below, I basically just let Brock and Palms walk, re-signed all of our impending RFAs, and Tony D. If some of the RFA numbers look a smidge high it's because I tried to go little above maybe what some of us were previously projecting before the cap numbers were released; their agents all know the cap is increasing a ton and will likely work that into their negotiations.

So yeah, big problem here. Obviously we don't need to carry a 21 man roster, but as it stands we're probably looking at somewhere between 1M-3M in cap space making no acquisitions. However, looking at this points out a couple of obvious looking moves we could make to make things work:

1. Trade Varly. It's been real, but it's time... this one feels inevitable. Varly's NMC turns into a 16 team NTC after this season. For now, replacing him with Hogberg would clear up 1.925 in cap space bringing us to 3.1M. Even if Hogberg doesn't re-sign after next season, we'll have a couple of guys in the pipeline from this year's draft or could bring in another cheap vet. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already been sent to Robidas Island, although I think Lou would rather have him here while the team is on a heater.

2. Trade Pulock or Dobson for picks/prospects or a Center. Either would work - either you clear the cap space necessary to sign someone (although there isn't much to sign), or you make a hockey trade. While I'm wary of staking our future on Tony Deangelo based on a 6 game sample size, it seems pretty clear that he's going to outplay his contract for as long as he remains with the organization.

Not sure who would be available, but I think you'd get a pretty sizable return for Dobson, and he has no trade protection. Would Rob Blake deal Byfield who still hasn't played his way into being untouchable? What about Anaheim with Mctavish or Seattle and Shane Wright? Would Barry want Pulock back in NSH for ROR at 4.5M? Not sure, but with the recent additions (and imminent return of Dobson, Pulock, and Mayfield) it should clear that if we're going to make a trade we should maximize the value of our RD corps.

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[icelander25]

Great analysis. I know you touched on being a little over pay but just nitpicking: with a 20 man roster, Holmstrom getting max $4 mil (I believe in him but no way I’m giving him 5.5 even with the cap), Romanov at $6 mil, George in for Perunovich, Hogberg in for Varly, and an Engvall buyout, that puts us at about $8.75 mil. Personally I think all these moves are the bare minimum and that leaves us without a 2C and 3RW. Of course we could trade Lee and Pageau for more room but Lee’s balling out and I’ve grown to keep Pageau unless we’re blown away.

In my ideal world I’d trade Brock to the Avs for Middelstadt and a 2nd (I know original right), so that’s one hole fixed and then get a middle sixer in FA.

 

[PK Cronin]

Capwages has been a pretty good replacement for Capfriendly. Then there's Puckpedia as well.

 

[doublechili]

Hey everyone, just wanted to create a space to talk about the impending offseason and the possible plan of action. With CapFriendly gone this has become increasingly annoying to do, so I'll probably make an excel doc at some point.

In the screenshot below, I basically just let Brock and Palms walk, re-signed all of our impending RFAs, and Tony D. If some of the RFA numbers look a smidge high it's because I tried to go little above maybe what some of us were previously projecting before the cap numbers were released; their agents all know the cap is increasing a ton and will likely work that into their negotiations.


View attachment 972966

So yeah, big problem here. Obviously we don't need to carry a 21 man roster, but as it stands we're probably looking at somewhere between 1M-3M in cap space making no acquisitions. However, looking at this points out a couple of obvious looking moves we could make to make things work:

1. Trade Varly. It's been real, but it's time... this one feels inevitable. Varly's NMC turns into a 16 team NTC after this season. For now, replacing him with Hogberg would clear up 1.925 in cap space bringing us to 3.1M. Even if Hogberg doesn't re-sign after next season, we'll have a couple of guys in the pipeline from this year's draft or could bring in another cheap vet. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already been sent to Robidas Island, although I think Lou would rather have him here while the team is on a heater.

2. Trade Pulock or Dobson for picks/prospects or a Center. Either would work - either you clear the cap space necessary to sign someone (although there isn't much to sign), or you make a hockey trade. While I'm wary of staking our future on Tony Deangelo based on a 6 game sample size, it seems pretty clear that he's going to outplay his contract for as long as he remains with the organization.

Not sure who would be available, but I think you'd get a pretty sizable return for Dobson, and he has no trade protection. Would Rob Blake deal Byfield who still hasn't played his way into being untouchable? What about Anaheim with Mctavish or Seattle and Shane Wright? Would Barry want Pulock back in NSH for ROR at 4.5M? Not sure, but with the recent additions (and imminent return of Dobson, Pulock, and Mayfield) it should clear that if we're going to make a trade we should maximize the value of our RD corps.

Thanks for doing the work and starting this. Not nitpicking, but a few things that jump out at me:

Dobson at $8M seems high. Is that a short term deal, or is that a (big) gamble on a long-term deal figuring he'll turn out to be worth $10M? Can Dobson sign a 1 year "prove it" deal and remain an RFA, or would any short deal take him to UFA?

Romanov at $6.5M - I'm thinking that's a long term deal? Probably about right with the cap going up.

Holmstrom could be signed for a similar deal as Pinto, no? Maybe 2 x $3.75M? Or is the $5.5M a long term gamble deal?

Deangelo: if he keeps up his current level of play, he's worth more than $1.5M - even with the baggage. The big thing with him is, do you sign him to anything more than a 1 year deal? Seems like a gamble based on his history. If Dobson and Pulock come back by the TDL, maybe you see what TDA can get you in a trade?

 

[Throttle]

Great analysis. I know you touched on being a little over pay but just nitpicking: with a 20 man roster, Holmstrom getting max $4 mil (I believe in him but no way I’m giving him 5.5 even with the cap), Romanov at $6 mil, George in for Perunovich, Hogberg in for Varly, and an Engvall buyout, that puts us at about $8.75 mil. Personally I think all these moves are the bare minimum and that leaves us without a 2C and 3RW. Of course we could trade Lee and Pageau for more room but Lee’s balling out and I’ve grown to keep Pageau unless we’re blown away.

In my ideal world I’d trade Brock to the Avs for Middelstadt and a 2nd (I know original right), so that’s one hole fixed and then get a middle sixer in FA.

Middelstadt is a bad version of Pageau. He’s got another two years at 5.75, he’s a passer, and is terrible at faceoffs for a center.

He in no way, shape, or form helps the Isles, rather, acquiring him becomes a hinderance to flexibility, let alone his on ice subpar play. I’ll add he doesn’t seem like a Lou player either.

Might be a better option to see how bad LAK wants to win, maybe they flip Turcotte for Nelson and another player.

 

[impaaaaaact]

Great analysis. I know you touched on being a little over pay but just nitpicking: with a 20 man roster, Holmstrom getting max $4 mil (I believe in him but no way I’m giving him 5.5 even with the cap), Romanov at $6 mil, George in for Perunovich, Hogberg in for Varly, and an Engvall buyout, that puts us at about $8.75 mil. Personally I think all these moves are the bare minimum and that leaves us without a 2C and 3RW. Of course we could trade Lee and Pageau for more room but Lee’s balling out and I’ve grown to keep Pageau unless we’re blown away.

In my ideal world I’d trade Brock to the Avs for Middelstadt and a 2nd (I know original right), so that’s one hole fixed and then get a middle sixer in FA.

Thanks for doing the work and starting this. Not nitpicking, but a few things that jump out at me:

Dobson at $8M seems high. Is that a short term deal, or is that a (big) gamble on a long-term deal figuring he'll turn out to be worth $10M? Can Dobson sign a 1 year "prove it" deal and remain an RFA, or would any short deal take him to UFA?

Romanov at $6.5M - I'm thinking that's a long term deal? Probably about right with the cap going up.

Holmstrom could be signed for a similar deal as Pinto, no? Maybe 2 x $3.75M? Or is the $5.5M a long term gamble deal?

Deangelo: if he keeps up his current level of play, he's worth more than $1.5M - even with the baggage. The big thing with him is, do you sign him to anything more than a 1 year deal? Seems like a gamble based on his history. If Dobson and Pulock come back by the TDL, maybe you see what TDA can get you in a trade?

Thanks y'all, I appreciate the feedback! As far as the Romanov, Holmstrom and Dobson deals, yes they're all meant to be longer and I think that's the safer option given the state of the league. It's really a double edged sword right now because while you could give someone like Holmstrom a pinto deal, you're risking him continuing to get better (as he's done every year) while the cap rises like crazy. He's probably going to end up in the top 6 consistently next year, and could get PP time to add to his PK time. It's not too hard to see a scenario where he turns into a big, fast 25 goal 60 point winger who can PK... that might be worth 8M a year with the cap increases by the time that bridge deal is up. I was thinking 5.5 X 6

As for Romanov, I think that he simply needs to get paid more than Pelech if he's being used as the top pairing LD. 6.5 could end up being low, but yeah, I was thinking around a 6 year deal.

Deangelo wants to stay close to home and probably wants to stay somewhere where he's going to get to play. He won't have that chance in Jersey, and he's already worn out his welcome in Philly and the Rangers org. That basically leaves the Bruins... but if he fits here why would he leave? I don't think anyone is giving him a long term deal at this point, but I think a prove it deal at 1.5 x 2 should work for him, especially with the cap jump when he becomes a UFA.

Capwages has been a pretty good replacement for Capfriendly. Then there's Puckpedia as well.

Didn't know about Capwages, this is great! Thanks for the tip.