Say anything you want about all of these deals, including Kreids, Bread, Shesty, Goodrow, Mika and Trouba - but at least there is cost certainty for some time.
This is the core we have going forward. No choice but to buy into it as the cap equalizes itself after the time lost to Covid.
Good, bad or indifferent there is less and less uncertainty the more core players you lock up. As the buyouts come off the books things will become more clearer for the future of the cap landscape.
It also makes it very clear to the agents of Kakko and Laf, Miller and the rest of the young kids that there will only be a finite amount of space if they want to be a part of this team going forward.
It would behoove this team to make it to the dance and make some noise in the playoffs so they want to be a part of something special going forward.
A double edged sword for sure because those young players will have to play well to get there