Why would you want Girard? You have Dunn who's even offensively, better defensively, igger and more physical. You have Soucy who can chip in some offense and better everywhere else. Also on the left is Oleksiak who isn't going anywhere. On the horizon is Evans who plays a similar game to Girard.
I like Girard because of the way he can create offense.
Dunn's only signed for next season and might want more than what Girard($5M for the next couple of years) is being paid.
Soucy, to me, is not going to be here longterm for the reasons you've actualy listed.
Oleksiak is here, either you extend Dunn(or get a guy like Gerard in this case) and Evans should be part of the team in 2023-24.
He'll also want more than $2.75M to extend his contract and given the players already on our left side of defense, I doubt that makes sense.
So, since he only wants to be on a contender, and those teams want to clear cap space, Francis, go grab a free player like Carolina did with Pacioretty. Help them clear that space and gains asset(s).
That's what I've been talking about with Colorado, but I wouldn't touch Johnson's contract unless there's a first round pick involved and I doubt that's happening with Sakic on the other hand of the negotiations.
BTW: Looking around the league, after trading for Marino and having Hamilton arleady on their roster the Devils might look to move Damon Severson.
Severson's got only one more year left on his contract and most llikely will ask for about $5M on his next one.
He'll be 28 by the start of the season and had 46 points last season.
Thoughts on if we should try and get him?
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