Thinking somewhat short AND long term, and more of an offseason move to convince OV to add us to his no trade if we're not already(he owns property here) and the repeat doesn't happen...
Considering OV did bring the parade to Washington, and they are still well built from top to bottom. Also, if Washington keeps the team they have as they have it, the transition into their inevitable rebuild phase won't be a nice one especially going into Seattle's expansion draft...
The Panthers are in desperate need of something most major. And super refreshing.
Ovechkin is 33 at the tail end of his prime. I would estimate he is likely has 2 or 3 great years before his age would slow him any. Maybe a couple more, who knows. We got Jagr to stand up from his wheelchair and look what he did. I'm taking marketability into heavy consideration as 33 year old Alex Ovechkin for the next 3 years will sell a jersey to every breathing Panthers fan as Bure did(forget the bobbleheads, t-shirts, etc.)
Hoffman is 29, couple years left in his contract, in the middle of his prime, our best goal scorer.
Dadonov is 29, also a couple years left, also in the middle of his prime, under Hoff and Barkov(who will die a Panther, don't even. He and Vince will die as career Panthers).
and the kicker- Huberdeau is 25 and entering his prime. No explanation necessary for the Caps here. Panthers justify this by asking if the fans want to see the next few years waiting for their successful AHL team to translate into joining Barkov and Trocheck with Ovechkin and his record chase, or if they want the next 5-7 years with Huberdeau. Sometimes ya gotta sacrifice the queen to have the best chance to win.
Opening up 2 roster slot more for the Panthers, and adding a bit of contract space to Washington, and a bit of youth that losing Huberdeau brings, the Panthers take Brett Connolly not only to level out the contract, but to fill a role usually filled with aged end of the liners. Sure he produces less than Huberdeau, but Connolly replaces Brouwer and fill that roles for the next 5 years. Washington adding two more guys can spare whoever to Seattle when the time comes.
Also as we see the cap rising for this to be possible- Washington's top 6 (or 7) for the next 5 years solid now reads Backstrom, Kuzy, Hoffman, Oshie, Dadonov, Huberdeau, and Wilson.
Ovechkin and Connolly for Hoffman, Dadonov, and Huberdeau.
Yay or nay?
