Pick:
1. Re-sign Crouse to a 4x5yr contract or something similar (obviously not 3x5yr or 6x2yr, make up something reasonable in your mind)
2. Trade Crouse's RFA right (can't see him doing a sign and trade) for a 1st that is going to be in that 16-32 range (aka a clear favorite to make the playoffs TOR/FLA/CAR). That 1st is top 10 protected as well.
Use the new roster space to take on a dump like Bailey for more draft capital/prospects. The bigger the dump the better the return.
Essentially keep Crouse to a "fair" contract that would keep him here for years or recoup two late 1sts in value.
I know I was complaining about this Crouse situation last night but if this is the plan I could turn my opinion around. Maybe BA is waiting for that dump to come in before moving Crouse (aka NYI would trade a 1st for Crouse but would also trade a 1st for taking on Bailey so BA is waiting for some dominos to fall).
It all depends if he wants to be here....if not...move him....when the right offer comes along.
Everyone seems to focus on the Garland negotiations (lack thereof), Chychrun (who knows the real story? ), and now Crouse (too early to tell).
The Dvorak trade took awhile... and after all was said and done BA thanked him for being a professional through it all, and no "messages" from Dvorak....of course we know Dvo isn't human and is a robot.
I suspect at the time (the first draft he could participate in coming up/assembling scouting/coaches/etc), BA had a lot on his plate, much more than just deciding what to do with Garland. Also, As a GM I'm sure there's a time when using the media can help facilitate a better trade and times when you don't want media involved. Agents can be Dicks and sabotage trade returns. I don't blame Garland at all. As for BA, you could argue he did Garland a favor by trading him to a what should have been a better team in a nice Hockey market, and getting Garland a great contract he wasn't going to get from AZ....sometimes business sucks....but it's not always an individuals fault.
I hope Crouse gets whatever he wants. He's been a model Coyote.....as long as he doesn't force his way out with dickish contract demands (Hello Turdis).