I think Guhle has limited offensive potential. I think he will be a solid stay at home defensemen, I don't think he will ever cost 9m per year. That is not the samething as saying I don't like him or that I don't beleive in him.
I think he will anchor our 2nd pair for years to come.
I don't think he is entirely a stay at home Dman. I would say Romanov is that type. There is a difference and middle ground there somewhere.
Guhle is a very strong top 4D. When I stay strong, I mean both physically and top 4D value. When the cap is $100M+, a strong top 4D cost will cost more than what you think today. Lets not live in 2017 forever. The cost for top of the line-up players is going to increase. It's gone from $4M to $6M to $8M over the years (depending on ELC/RFA/UFA circumstances).
If you sign Guhle for 6 years, he gets to ride his prime and exit that at age 28 or 29. That's dangerous in terms of what you might have to pay him and once again... in 6 years, I bet you the cap is $100M. It's projected to be $92M for 25/26.
Where did this start? 6 year term vs 8. I hate the 6 year term because we have the cap space now and Guhle is our best D man. Just get the 8x $7M contract done now. Ride that until he is age 31 and possibly trade him as a rental or let him walk. Overpayment in the first 2 years perhaps but that's where we have the cap flexibility. We will not have the cap flexibility in 4-6 years time. Decisions we make today are critical.