When you're knocking names around like Scott Laughton or Boone Jenner on the trade market as viable targets in the coming year, I'd argue there's hope of filling that need for the vocal physical playoff presence. Logic would suggest that McLeod would be part of the package that acquires that quasi-third line pivot.
Having Kane on your roster limits the team's flexibility to make those kinds of larger adds without having to pay a premium to have a team facilitate that deal financially.
I know it isn't popular to suggest, especially in the middle of a playoff run where his game is s significant asset. But logically, this team needs to find ways to improve year over year. And it's difficult to do that if you're team is sitting at the cap ceiling from day one.
I think it’s worth being proactive and at least exploring the possibility of moving Kane this summer. Explore interest and value around the league but dealing Kane should only happen to facilitate other deals that improve the team and those trades/signings need to be in place before you move him. I think it would be bad business to move him and just hoping you’ll be able to put that cap to better use with no follow up moves in place.
Between Mcdavid, Drai, Hyman, Nuge, Kane, McLeod, Holloway you have 7 of your top 9. From there you can gauge Henrique interest in returning on a very cheap deal and add a couple more million dollar veteran bottom 6ers and I’d like to see them working in guys like Lavoie, Bourgault, Tullio, Hamblin, Petrov, Grubbe. Have a couple spots on the roster available for these guys to battle over and start working them in the first half of the season, see what you’ve got.
Keep a little space open, accrue during the year and then look to upgrade at the deadline when you’ve got more space and a better idea of the options available and a gauge on who is having a good season.
