I'm not up for trading Kane at all. He seemed to be finding chemistry with Scheifele, and has some with O'Dell. Maurice has him being more creative in the offensive zone, getting the D to over commit to him then he dishes it off. He also seems to respect O'Dells shot.
As far as next years roster, I see three holes that need to be filled. This bars any blockbuster trades:
First is a middle six LW, I'd like to get a guy that is flexible and can also play center. If only there was a guy we had the rights to that is a lefty and can play either wing or center and is good defensively.
. If Burmistrov doesn't work other targets include Cammalleri, Jussi Jokinen.
Second is that hole at LHD. We need a top 4 LHD. Unfortunately we're spending a lot of money on the left side as it is, I wouldn't mind trading off Clitsome and going for an upgrade. We're spending 10.4M as it is, and I just don't see the talent. As opposed to about $7 million on the right side not including Buff. I'd love to see a UFA like Nikitin here.
Third is the goalie. We need a clear starter. A UFA for 2-3 years, and it's not a huge deal if we overspend a bit. UFA targets are Elliott, Halak, Hiller, Miller, Greiss, Johnson, Peters, Thomas. RFA targets include Reimer and I'm sure there's more.
Unfortunately with the Pavelec buyout we may have an internal cap, but as it sits we will have around $19 million to spend if we compliance Pavelec, re-sign Frolik at $4, O'Dell, Redmond, Hutchinson near minimums. I wouldn't mind giving the latter 3 2 year cheap contracts like Postma. Signing O'Dell to a contract like that could be a steal.
Jokinen, Setoguchi, Montoya, Pardy, Halischuk, Wright all walk. Trade Ellerbys rights.
Ladd - Little - Frolik
Kane - Scheifele - Wheeler
#1 - O'Dell - Buff
Tangradi - Slater - Peluso
Enstrom - Bogosian
#2 - Trouba
Stuart - Postma
Redmond
#3
Hutchinson
That being said this isn't a world beater lineup, and isn't much of an upgrade over the current roster. I view next year as a development year, but could be a good year especially with a good starting goalie.