Just took a quick look at the Canes outlook for the 25-26 season. This is with a $92M cap that I heard speculated by the TSN guys earlier today. There's going to be a lottt of cap space to play with. We'll also likely know by the end of the upcoming season if KK is our #2/3 C or we buy him out, so could be even more cap to play with.
CandyCanes 32 Thoughts On All This:
- This doesn't include Necas or his replacement.
- I've got hope we see either FUS or Nadeau become a top 6 guy the 25-26 season. At minimum I think FUS becomes a solid bottom 4 guy. We'll have 3-4 guys on the roster with ELC's contributing to the team.
- My guess is our shopping list is (2) top 6 forwards (1 being from a Necas trade), a 1B goalie, a 13th forward, and maybe a top pair RD? With around $30M cap space or $34m if KK is bought out.
- We'll have a good opportunity to make significant offer to either Draisaitl, Rantanen, or Crosby if they make happen to slip into free agency. With plenty cap to spare if we do get one to sign here. The outlook on the 25-26 season looks very promising.
- We could do $11/$12m for Rantanen/Draisaitl, $7m for Necas top 6 replacement, and still have $12M cap space to bring in a 1B goalie, possible #1 RD, and a 13th forward.
- A lot of this plan is relying on one of the forward prospects to grab a top 6 role in the next 365 days & Nikishin effectively becoming a top 4D as soon as he steps into the NHL.
- I think we need to keep our heads up. Our "window" probably temporarily closes this year, tho I think we make the playoffs, but are a long shot for the cup. But I fully expect with bringing in a couple top 6 forward acquisitions by the 25-26 season we're right back in as one of the top contending teams.
- That was only 7 thoughts. 8 if you include this one.