I liked the way Shapiro put it in a recent mailbag, expectations were really high for him, but at this point he needs to prove that's deserved. I agree that trading him would not be wise. Unlike guys like Oleksiak and Nemeth, it seems Nill is very interested in this project working. I think the better play is to see what he can be with consistent playing time, something those other guys never got. Yes it could further damage his value, but it still seems like the better move to maximize asset management.
I too was kind of hoping that Honka could be a potential significant piece in a trade. I'd love to play well and stick around in Dallas, my thought is just that right shot D are pretty damn valuable, especially offensive ones. Ideally, he could have been an actual prime asset for a Top 6 forward that was younger and/or had term on an established contract.
Again, thinking purely about asset management and potential cap implications in the coming years, Johns will get a raise this year because of arbitration, it could be in the $2 million range. He's a year from UFA. Not exactly sure if Nill is ready to pull the gun on a longer deal, but he could be in the $3 to $4 million range on a deal buying some UFA years. Lindell is arbitration eligible and has two more years of RFA after next season. He may end up as a 3rd pair D next year, it's not impossible, but if he's playing Top 2 minutes for the third year in a row, I'd expect a pretty significant raise for him. Nashville has been able to succeed with 4 great D and 3 of them have just major bargain contracts. Klingberg's sweetheart deal is a huge help, but ultimately, I think in 3 or 4 years, you're only going to be able to afford 4 of Heiskanen, Honka, Johns, Klingberg, and Lindell.
It would be a a big win for Dallas if they all develop into key players. Honka probably buys you 5 years to make an ultimate decision as long as he's useful those 5 years. If he develops into a similar player as Vatanen even better. He has 4 more years of free agency after next season. Knowing how conservative Nill is, my guess is he's budgeting money for Heiskanen in the next 3 years that would reflect a top paid defender. I'm absolutely not saying he will be that. I'm merely saying Nill's focus on the cap and the projections for what Heiskanen can seem to reach make it at least reasonable to consider his next contract and what it could look like if Heiskanen continues on his current trajectory.
Hopefully Honka can figure out life in the NHL.