26Mats
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2018
- 32,177
- 24,651
It would be very stupid. At least one of Tatar, Danault and Armia won't be a Hab next year, so we aren't protecting them. The only main forwards we got to protect are Anderson, Gallagher, Toffoli, and Kotkaniemi. That's 3 more spots for Drouin/Lehkonen/whoever remains between Tatar/Danault/Armia. Seattle will take Chiarot/Edmundson, Allen or Evans, and I think it will be Chiarot/Edmundson.
I can't see MB losing Danault unless one of Evan's or Poehling has an unforeseen complete breakout of a season - at center, at the NHL level. Center is too important of a position, and we're too young at that position, to lose Danault.
But you do bring up an interesting point. Who would you rather lose: Drouin or Tatar AND Armia? If Drouin is exposed and selected, we have the cap space to keep Tatar and Armia doesn't get taken. If we keep Drouin, Armia may be selected, and because of Drouin's 5.5M cap hit, Tatar is likely gone.
But a lot depends on how these 3 players play this year. If Drouin has another stinker season, we may expose him and Seattle may not even take him. If Armia puts up big numbers, he may. Command a high cap hit. So much uncertainty now.
One thing I'm pretty certain of: Danault will get paid. He has us by the balls in negotiations. We can't afford to lose him if we're looking to be a playoff team while Price and Weber are still good.