Ummm ok. A fanbase that doesnt think what they signed these two will have an affect at all on the RFAs next year. That their agents will not at all use those as easy comparables. A fanbase that thinks they can fit the increase of $6M increase in Neighbours, $3M increase in Hofer, and $2M increase in Toropchencko's contracts this coming year under the cap in a years time while Buchnevich is taking on an additional $2.2M in cap space.
Uh, yeah, about that: you've forgotten that we have several trade chips. Saad is obviously not going to be on the roster after the trade deadline; he's likely gone for a second. Krug could potentially retire/be traded, and that's even more money off the books. Suter's contract comes off the books after this year, and possibly could even be dealt at the deadline if one of Broberg/Joseph/one of the many young defensemen we have in our system exceed expectations and force their way into more playing time. The Josephs, Kapanen, and Faksa are only signed for one year. Even Binnington could be a potential trade chip if Hofer forces his way into the number one goalie spot and Vadim Zherenko bounces back.
We have no players over 8.1 million AAV (two of our players in Thomas and Kyrou are the exact same pay), and the cap's going up. We're going to sign Neighbours and Hofer, there's no doubt about that. If Broberg becomes that number one left-handed defenseman, we'll have no issues paying him. If Holloway becomes a solid middle-six center (which I think he could be, given his faceoff percentage and natural two-way ability), we'll pay him accordingly. When Bolduc and Dean become RFAs - if they excel in their positions, of course - we'll pay them.
Why am I so confident we'll sign those players? Because our GM is Doug Armstrong (and in the future, will be Alexander Steen) and not Stan f***ing Bowman. Armstrong knows value, Armstrong is savvy, Armstrong is competent, Armstrong has a vision, and Armstrong is a good person - all of which Bowman isn't. Armstrong will not f*** around with younger players on contracts, and he will not find out that such a thing pays a price.
And you may have deleted your snide little comment on this page - and posted the same thing on the Oilers board; don't think I didn't see that - but I'm not going to let you off the hook that easily when you've been at this shit since the signings happened.
