SpeakingOfTheDevils
Devils Advocate
As much as I'd like it emotionally, I don't see any realistic way that Rico comes back (at least now right now).
The impetus for the trade was that Shero wasn't going to re-sign Henrique to a market value contract. If the Devils do the Hradek deal for EK (or something similar) and are in desperate need of a 2C in a couple of years, maybe that changes. But until then, I don't see how $6+ million a year for Henrique fits into the current salary structure.
Btw, I also think Henrique puts up 30-30 in the next couple of years. He's got something to prove, and I think he's going to take his game to another level because of that.
A lot would have to happen for us to have a need for Henrique when his contract expires. I'm just glad the two parties left that door open, for morale's sake. When you have jolting trades that leave bad tastes in everyone's mouths (a la Hall or Subban), it's nice to see one where both sides part on good terms.
Side note - what's the "Hradek deal" for Karlsson? I must've missed that.