You guys are thinking like this is still a developing team and futures are the cash cow. This team is no longer a developing team, but a contending team in its prime window for a cup. A team in that window has to prioritize cap space over futures so they can get as much talent the roster as possible. Paying a future, especially a pick that is years away from making the team, is much more preferable than wasting cap space during your window.
Pay Seattle a first if necessary to move Gardiner.
I think they will approach things differently than other teams in their “window”. I think they value their high picks for sustainability more than anything else. They’ve shown a penchance for going through a slew of players via trade and ufa, but they’ve hoarded picks and prospects. I think they’re betting on striking gold regularly in the draft and being able to replace guys as they get too expensive with much cheaper players on ELCs. It’s risky, but seems to match up with their drafting style over the past few years. Moar picks = more chances to strike it rich.
I think they’d much rather pay Gardiner’s buyout (what, $1.4M or so for a few years?) versus attaching a late 1st to him to be rid of him, considering they paid $6M for a 1st just a few years ago.
The flat cap certainly complicates things, but I don’t see it as being as constrictive as we all think it may be. I think Hamilton walks and they end up replacing him with another guy making Pesce/Slavin $$$, more or less, and they end up with a little more cushion to re-sign a goalie or upgrade the forwards.
I don’t think that letting Hamilton walk is the right move, but I’d also be very nervous giving him $8M x 8. This offseason should be very entertaining