I was very pro Marner or Rantanen, but giving them 15 mil is now making me hesitant.
Imagine we land Misa, then both him and Bedard could be asking for that number on their next contract, just like what happened with Toronto no?
I would be fine if they had no questions marks. But apparently Rantanen needs a top play driver and we know his defense is iffy, and Marner isn't a tough area player either. Those are both legit questions marks, where you have to consider if the test is worth for mucking up the internal cap situation down the line (again not space, but more a point of reference to match for the young guys).
The problem is, you really don't have too many other options that don't have these kind of question marks.
I would love Vilardi, but Winnipeg has obscene amounts of cap space.
I've had Cuylle's name long circled as an RFA we could offer sheet, but now the Rangers shifted out enough money to easily keep him.
Who else? Boeser is slow.
Ehlers I could see actually. But again Winnipeg and space.
Bennett I would love, but we need wingers. But he's the type of players we should be looking for.
I guess I'm more open to trying to get Marner because he's a good defensive player, and would be pretty good with Bedard in theory (although I want two heavier skilled players on his wing eventually). Cuylle would be an ideal partner for those two.
I think trades might be a better avenue to keep the internal cap in check, and trying to add the type of player we need.
Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens - these are the guys I'd be trying for ideally. Would need to be three team deals though.
Sorry I'm rambling a little, but it's not clear to me how the forward situation is going to shape up yet.
It's clear we need some skilled, fast, defensively responsible, heavier type wingers.
Edit: actually want do you guys think of trying to trade for Forsberg now? Nashville turned into a complete disaster, maybe theyre open to get some picks and prospects for him now?
He would be ideal. Obviously skilled, plays heavy, not that old either.
