I am aware that this is not going to happen, and is purely a hypothetical exercise.
When I was thinking about it last last night it really came down to two options for me in either Vlasic or Karlsson, and I could make decent arguments for both.
Vlasic- one year less left on his contract and a smaller cap-hit. But is a significantly worse player, provides basically nothing of value on the ice, and quite a bit older. Would be a UFA at 39.
Karlsson- Much better player, has a significantly better chance to bounce back to elite form. Though signed for a year longer, at a significantly higher cap-hit. I also personally don't see him coming back to form to make that cap-hit worth it. Would be a UFA at 37.
While I sided more towards Vlasic, I feel the difference in cap-hit made me want to choose Karlsson, yeah Vlasic is objectively and subjectively trash, but I feel a 7 million cap-hit is an easier pill to swallow than an 11.5 million cap-hit. Especially 5-ish years down the road.
I also provided an other option if anyone doesn't think it should be between these 2.
When I was thinking about it last last night it really came down to two options for me in either Vlasic or Karlsson, and I could make decent arguments for both.
Vlasic- one year less left on his contract and a smaller cap-hit. But is a significantly worse player, provides basically nothing of value on the ice, and quite a bit older. Would be a UFA at 39.
Karlsson- Much better player, has a significantly better chance to bounce back to elite form. Though signed for a year longer, at a significantly higher cap-hit. I also personally don't see him coming back to form to make that cap-hit worth it. Would be a UFA at 37.
While I sided more towards Vlasic, I feel the difference in cap-hit made me want to choose Karlsson, yeah Vlasic is objectively and subjectively trash, but I feel a 7 million cap-hit is an easier pill to swallow than an 11.5 million cap-hit. Especially 5-ish years down the road.
I also provided an other option if anyone doesn't think it should be between these 2.