More Dominoes to fall but I get the feeling Meier will stay put and is more likely to be moved at the draft.
Orlov trade sets a path for Gavrikov (with Korpisalo) to LA. Chychrun will head to St. Louis, and Kane to the Rangers.
Depth Moves
Not sure what Lou does but he will do something to keep this team afloat. I can see a depth move like Derek Grant to protect their C depth, especially, if JGP is out longer. There was a mention of Dadanov last month, he can be someone who most likely can be had for cheap. Maybe someone like Jack Johnson to help with D depth.
GAMBLES - RISK vs. REWARD
I also love the risk/reward on someone like Vrana, hopefully, he has turned the corner on his issues and rededicated himself to the game. If Drouin could be had for little return, then he could also be a good gamble, especially since he doesn't have another year attached like Vrana. Pulijaarvi could be another player the Islanders could target - AGAIN all of these guys come with the caveat that they can be had for pennies on the dollar. Jesse is a good candidate on change of scenery - he comes with 3m QO next season - if it doesn't work out, then they simply do not qualify him. I loved this kid during the WJC - he was buzzing all over the place and seemed to generate chances every time he stepped on the ice. This season he shooting % is crazy low and he's also a player with a very low PDO. As I write this there is Kasperi Kapanen just hitting waivers... 3.2 AAV for another season - if it works out, then great, but if it doesn't they are on the hook for another season at 3.2 and any cap space the Isles had this offseason would be used up.
UFAs - with a bigger price TAG
I really like Bertuzzi's game, but seeing that Detroit is in the thick of it - I doubt he goes anywhere. Yzerman has shown brass balls with heading into the offseason with UFA s to be - I think Larkin gets locked up, but Bertuzzi may be the one who walks.
Another UFA to be is Max Domi, who would look pretty good riding on Nelson's LW - I wonder about the price tag and Lou has not plans to resign Domi, then I doubt he spends the assets to acquire him.
Kulikov could be someone they look at - if the price is right - I doubt Lou wants to spend a 2nd to land him.
Any big-ticket items will mean cap dealings. If the cap rises only 1m next season - players with term and high AAV will be difficult to move as well as acquire.
Like, does a Hoffman for Bailey trade work? Or Boeser for Bailey and Wahlstrom? Wahlstrom and Bailey for Schmaltz? Henrique for Bailey + pick? This all depends on how much the cap rises - at the moment all teams are planning on only 1m - it could be higher than that, but the big lift will be in the 2024-25 Offseason. All of these players come with another year with considerable $ attached.
I can see a post season line up of -
Lee - Horvat - Barzal
Vrana/Domi - Nelson - Palmieri
Parise - Pageau - Bailey/Holmstrom
Martin - Cizikas - Fasching/Holmstrom
Pelech - Pulock
Aho - Dobson
Romanov - Mayfield
Bolduc - Salo - Hutton - Wotherspoon - Cholowski all providing depth and maybe a FA like Livingstone and/or Pulli stepping right in.
