mouser
Business of Hockey
Hoffman will be traded to save Melnyk money this year and free money up for Stone to be signed next year.
I expect a Trade Deadline Day deal (hoping to get the highest return) and settling for a 2nd round pick, the Senators currently don't have their 2nd in 2018, and a prospect either in the League already or on the cusp.
Hoffman's contract (and almost every contract the Sens sign players to) is front loaded.
Once the team has had the "cheap" first year(s) the player is definitely at risk to be moved.
The problem is it's a downward spiral because the other team will either offer inferior player(s) due to the premium (higher salary than cap hit) they have to pay the player they are getting or will demand a pick in the deal to even things out (the Brassard/Zibanjad deal).
Draft picks are the life blood of a team that is unable/unwilling to pay to the cap and should be jealously guarded.
The way to recoup lost picks is by trading players like Hoffman for high picks and/or promising "cheap" prospects (maybe a goalie?) and ensuring that the Scouting Department is top notch.
I also predict that Karlsson will be traded in the Summer to maximize the teams who will be interested. subject to his No-trade clause (a very good move!).
The worst move they could make would be to resign Karlsson to a mega $11+/8 year deal.
With Phaneuf's and Ryan's albatross contracts going nowhere the last thing a budget team needs is another.
I think you meant to say back loaded rather then front loaded.