With the front office holding onto both Nikishin and Morrow so tightly at the trade deadline, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they think they can get away with elevating their current 3rd pair to the 2nd pair when their current 2nd pair gets too expensive, then backfilling with the two stud prospects. I have no idea if that is a working solution, but I wouldn't be shocked.
Also, I think a lot of people are going to be surprised by Staals next contract. It won't be as cheap as we would like, I think, or it won't be here. There is a reason for the drop in talk of the talks between the two camps, and I doubt it is becasue it has all gone so smoothly.