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Hoags wrote:SpezDispenser wrote:
I seriously doubt that. You build around Methot, Karlsson, Cowen, Spezza, Ryan, Turris, Zibanejad, Lehner. Then there'll be a couple more added to the 'core' like Lazar and Pageau, but you need to identify exactly who the core is and get things done.
If Melnyk holds Spezza back from re-signing...there'll be BIG problems. This isn't an old man, this is the franchise C.
Who knows how Spezza's back holds up over the next 2 years and if/when he declines in his 30s. Turris and/or ZIb might progress a lot as well.
Spezza and Ryan will be 2 huge contracts, if they're still on a budget then someone elsewhere might go (Michalek for example) and even then they need to play for upcoming RFAs.
Depending on the state of the budget 2 years from now, there might be some hard choices to make. Ideally they will try and re-sign them 1 year from now and not have endless speculation in their last year before the contract is up.
Bye bye Michalek if need be, promote from within - like Lazar for example. Not much you can do, if $$ is an issue, you let Michalek walk and use that $$, replacing him with an ELC. Sucks, because Michalek is one of my favourites, but I know where our bread is buttered and it's with Spezza, Ryan etc.
I love that. I can't say anything more positive about his character if he follows through with that and re-signs next summer.
