I think you let him finish his last season as a Duck, even if he builds up some trade value. He will be a good vet for the kids, especially If we land Carlsson, which seems likely. I see Leo playing here next season.
Silf took a step back but we saw flashes last season, if he can go out with a final bang then that would be awesome.
I don't disagree, but we do run into a bit of an issue of too many bodies up front. I could see moving out 1-3 forwards we have under contract.
I'd expect to see the following all playing somewhere within the top 9 next season:
Zegras, Terry, McTavish, Rico, Top 3 pick, Strome, Vatrano, Lundy and I think most would agree Jones earned the opportunity with his play in the final half of the season, if not him then Silf. There's the top three lines barring any addition, plus one extra top 9 F per say.
Then for whatever reason they've decided it's worth having McGinn for another two years at 2.75M. Still have Comtois as of today, plus both Carrick and Leason under contract. Then there's Nesterenko who played well enough to garner a long look in camp.
Already sitting 15 F deep there, and then none of them really seem suited to a full time 4C role, so looking at a 16th to fill that, whether it be Groulx or an outside add.
For the sake of simplicity, even if Groulx makes the team as 4C and Nesterenko starts down in the AHL, still have at least one or two extra bodies. That's without even considering the possibility of adding another roster forward.
I won't begin to know where Silf fits into all that from the team's perspective, but would think the desire to keep him lessens significantly if they are certain he's not coming back the year after.