We can't assume Klefbom will be back and if he is back at what skill level. If he does, then we can be pleasantly surprised and able to trade from strength. Looks like he won't be back until after the new year if so, it may be a while before we know.
Seems pretty obvious we'll be priced out on Barrie, unless he really wants to stay.
Would be nice to bring back Jones but I don't see what we can offer Seattle to take a contract like Neal or Koskinen off our hands. Our first and top prospects should be off limits.
Broberg is having a tough year, and there already rumblings that he needs to play another year in Sweden before getting AHL time. Still he's a first round pick, and teams don't give up on those players, and Holland will slow play to get him at the NHL level with more of a NHL skillset.
I'd hope the Oilers re-sign Larsson, we don't really have another D like him.
Here's what I like:
Nurse - Bear (remember Nurse's and Klef's second year)
Lagesson - Larsson
Russell or other lower cost veteran - Bouchard
We have $19M in offseason capspace, more if we can dump a salary on Seattle, and buyouts for Neal and Koskinen should be considered.
But we need a higher-end goaltender and either sign or replace Nugent Hopkins. That looks to take $10-13M of the capspace. With almost all of Holland's recent signings on one year deals, I doubt we'll have the capspace to go big game hunting on defense.
