I think this is the gamble you would be taking. Maybe it is the case that it allows you to keep Johansson, Nyquist, Hartman on deals that are relatively friendly for their given production and/or even add an additional piece assuming Zucc/Dumba and eventually Foligno/Fluery after that are let go saving you ~$19m. Again, this is an assumption with Nyquist that his eye test is going to look pretty good. I would potentially go in this direction.
I'd be hesitant to move him for a NYR 1st unless the Wild had a replacement or a big free agent signing lined up and could use that freed up cap space. 1sts are nice, but that'll be a pretty late one and I value Zuccarello more than the pick alone.
A late 1st is not all that valuable, to me. I think Zucc is worth more, by quite a bit. Hey, i'd rather keep him... we just are stuck in a cap crunch, for reasons that we all know about. It depends on how he ages, but I would definitely think about re-signing him after his deal finishes. He and Kap definitely have some chemistry. I wonder what they would do with a good Center.
I'm think that Kap- Marat- Boldy might be an interesting line. Marat has speed and two way play. Boldy has skill, ever increasing strength, and talent. Kap.... has everything. You just don't want him to work too hard defensively.
