I think people want there to be a perfect solution at 2C. The idea of having a 1A 1B, it's phenomenal in a vacuum of course. JT Miller, Hertl, Larkin, etc.. the kinds of names being thrown around are stars, they make this team 100% better in the short term so I get it, there's no question about it.. plus we have the pieces to acquire them. But the salary cap is a reality, so you have to be content with idea that if you acquire these players you can't re-sign them without creating a nightmare on your cap. Clear out some money to get an extention, ok but now you're up against the ceiling. Laf, Kakko, K'Andre.. you essentially assure that you have no money left for the kids. Probably a hard time affording some depth. I get it, you don't want to count your chickens before they hatch in the kids... but just because we're playing hypothetical... let's say Laf spends a whole season getting +17 mins on that top line next year and gives us a modest 50, there simply will not be enough money for him, and that's if we're just talking short term. We're in a tricky little spot here where unless you can get Panarin, Kreider or Trouba to waive, these high end centers people have in mind are simply not long term options at the moment. Now... if you want to have this conversation a couple years later when Kreider and Trouba M-NTC kick in and you could realistically get their money off the books these targets would actually become feasible options that work in the salary cap world. We have a 1C and will be built around a number of really high end wingers, theres nothing wrong with lower the expectations for the time being and aim for an affordable 2C while the team continues to develop
