I don't think there is enough money in the world that would make Duchene happy playing the next 7 years on the wing, but that is just a guess on my part.
Nashville, Johansen would probably start the PP. Turris goes where, then , at 6M?
Not sure about the Sharks, but that could be a good fit, but they have alot of contracts to worry about there as well.
Montreal would probably go all in to get him. Makes sense on many levels, if he would want to live there. The Islanders are as big a mess. Las Vegas isn't exactly the safest place in America.
Montreal, would be a franchise changing move for them.
Duchene is a better player than Johansen. If the Preds acquired him, he'd slot in as their #1 center and Johansen would bump Turris to #3. Contending teams don't have a problem with a top-end 3rd line center, even if he makes 6M, which in today's NHL, isn't all that much.
The Sharks will likely walk away from Pavelski unless he takes a large discount, and with Thornton already taking team-friendly deals, he's not a problem. A lot depends on Karlsson, obviously, and him re-signing could take them out of the running. If he leaves though, expect Wilson to be all-in on getting one of Duchene, Stone or Panarin.
The Islanders were a mess, but they've since brought in Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz, who after just 8 months, have already started to steady the ship. They've got a whack load of prospects coming too (Dobson, Bellows, Wahlstrom, Wilde) in the next 2-3 years. If they're a mess, we're a dumpster on fire.
Vegas might be dangerous if you're hanging around the Strip between 2-4 in the morning. If you're a millionaire living in a nice community, it's pretty great. Lot's of pro athletes choose to retire there (no tax, good weather, great golf courses, easy to travel in and out, etc).
And sure, playing on wing, for a center, typically, doesn't sound great. It's different when you're playing with one of the greatest players of all-time, who also happens to be a good friend, on a team that's always in contention, though.
