I wonder what the Wild does next year. Kaprizov taking another step forward this year and the Wild finally get some cap space to work with after the Parise-Suter contracts. 13 millions extra on a team that looks good this year can really fill some of the weaknesses in their rooster. Next year might be one of their best shots as kaprizov will be on the last year of his contract.
They're probably going to start their offer at ~$13M per year, which would essentially be giving him Zuccarello's expiring number, which would then (hopefully) be filled by an ELC (Heidt), so would be minimal effect, aside from whatever downgrade it is from Zuccarello to his replacement.
Now, if he holds out for more than Draisaitl, it'll be an inconvenience but not a major one.
The first year of his new deal, even if it's $15M per year, we'd have ~$17M in space on a $95.5M cap, with the only roster unknowns being 1) whatever Rossi's 2nd contract is, 2) another top 6/middle 6 player, and 3) whatever we do with the other goalie spot besides Wallstedt. If we go ELC with #2, that's plenty of room to handle #1 and #3 ($7M apiece, if necessary).
All of Yurov, Buium and Ohgren are slated to be on ELCs that year, and then guys like Spurgeon will start dropping off the cap.
As far as next year goes, we have ~$13M to re-sign Rossi, Khusnutdinov and replace Johansson. Depending on if they bridge or go long-term with Rossi, that could somewhere in the $5M to $7M range for the Johansson replacement. Judging by last summer's signings, that's guys like Marchessault, Teravainen, Bertuzzi, Toffoli, etc. Decent options.
