Brown at 2.1 (and possibly less on his next contract) > Johansson or Kapanen anywhere close to 4.
I don't see him gettng traded.
Well Johnny and Kap will get 4ish each. Thereby, Brown is gone, unless 1 or 2 things happen. First Zaitsev is offloaded, or we trade Marleau to SJ for his final season. Zaits will mean we retain, question is how much.
I think more then likely its Brown and or Kadri gone. But first its be brown. It's clear Moore is an NHL player and I also would love to see Bracco up. Hes setting AHL records (for the Marlies) he just passed or tied Johnsson for pts/goals in a season. Hes like Marner just lesser. In fact he would have more points if his mates were NHL skill. Minus Adam Brooks who was also playing well before injury.
Anyway you dice it we have several moves to make. Now unless Dubas gets a blow your mind deal for Nylander I think we have no intent on trading him. I think he surpasses Kadris center skill easily. In fact in Kadris absence Nylander did quite well centering the 3rd line.
Dubas also said its who you surround the stars with that build a cup team. It's TRUE. Tampa has Kuch, Stammer, Hedman, Sergachev, Johnson and Vase. The rest are role guys who play there part amazingly well.
Now our elite, Matty, Marner,JT, Nylander our Johnson is Johnsson and Kapenen, then Freddy and Rielly, Dermott (think Travis is future tip 2 D)
Guys in support roles
Marleau, Brown, Ennis, Moore, Goat, Petan, rest of D (Muzzin is better then hes shown, Zaitsev makes him look bad a lot).
Now Ennis is probably gone, he deserves a raise but we cant afford that for a 4th liner. Maybe we can if Brown goes. Petan I feel will play a lot more next year he stays. Hainsey I think goes, Gardiner walks unless he takes way less then hes worth..if he stays somehow then Kadri is gone and the big one we need to get rid of Zaitsev, but again we will be retaining.
So many possibilities, its impossible to say what is for sure, what is wishful thinking. But I have 100% confidence in Dubas.