Next season, assuming Lehner isn't back, they'll have 4.6 million-ish in space even if they sign a backup at 2.5 and give Howden the same contract, which we would probably lower it a bit so there may be even more space with only a third line spot to fill.
If they trade Martinez and Marchessault, the offseason or draft might be the better place to do it anyway. And that would open up even more cap space to go get younger replacements, though Martinez could probably be replaced from within for much cheaper, which would leave around 10-14 million for two younger top nine forward replacements (depending on how much retention they're willing with Martinez and Marchessault to maximize value) while still getting futures for Martinez and Marchessault.
Even just Martinez while retaining two million gives us over 7.75 million for another forward while keeping Marchessault. Again, if Lehner is still out, we have options how to adjust the roster.
Giving up the 2024 2nd, Amadio and one of the logjam of Cormier, Korczak, Chayka for a Barbashev and Toews (who they could keep if they fit, and Barbashev is not old) isn't giving up the farm or creating a big detriment to competing in the future. We look good at the back and wouldn't be touching our forward prospects or first round picks while still having the ability to pick another up at the draft.
The Stone situation is what it is and can't keep us in a state of suspended animation. If his back goes again, it throws a wrench in that one season that we have to deal with, afterwards he's gone for good and we use the money to replace him with whatever kind of forward we would be lacking, if his back holds up then we have whatever Stone can bring now, which was still very good after his previous back issues.
In short, buying at the deadline and keeping an eye on the future don't have to be mutually exclusive.
If they trade Martinez and Marchessault, the offseason or draft might be the better place to do it anyway. And that would open up even more cap space to go get younger replacements, though Martinez could probably be replaced from within for much cheaper, which would leave around 10-14 million for two younger top nine forward replacements (depending on how much retention they're willing with Martinez and Marchessault to maximize value) while still getting futures for Martinez and Marchessault.
Even just Martinez while retaining two million gives us over 7.75 million for another forward while keeping Marchessault. Again, if Lehner is still out, we have options how to adjust the roster.
Giving up the 2024 2nd, Amadio and one of the logjam of Cormier, Korczak, Chayka for a Barbashev and Toews (who they could keep if they fit, and Barbashev is not old) isn't giving up the farm or creating a big detriment to competing in the future. We look good at the back and wouldn't be touching our forward prospects or first round picks while still having the ability to pick another up at the draft.
The Stone situation is what it is and can't keep us in a state of suspended animation. If his back goes again, it throws a wrench in that one season that we have to deal with, afterwards he's gone for good and we use the money to replace him with whatever kind of forward we would be lacking, if his back holds up then we have whatever Stone can bring now, which was still very good after his previous back issues.
In short, buying at the deadline and keeping an eye on the future don't have to be mutually exclusive.
