while I do not disagree with the sentiment, I just do not see the ability to keep him.
He's going to be in the 5.5 to 6.0 range
Mika is going to get 8+ maybe 9+ if he keeps up the pace he started to set last year
Fox has to get paid
Lindgren has to get paiid
Shesterkin has to get paid
eventually we hope that all three of Chytil, Kakko and LaFrenier pan out where their contracts are going to be sizeable.
We still need better 3rd and 4th line players which are going to cost.
I'm excited about the 28 million we will have available to spend this summer. 33 if you remove Strome. but we are going to have 12 players signed to make up that 53 million and between 8-11 players to sign with the remaining funds while finding players that will help make us a better team.
thats not going to be easy
I think that's the key that can be hard to remember.
If we're successful, which everyone is hoping we are, then at some point we're going to be moving guys because of cost.
Not because they aren't good, or very good.
Not because we don't want them, or don't like them.
But because at some point the finances dictate you can't have everyone.
Somewhere along the line, the organization decided they wanted to invest in Panarin, Trouba and Kreider. For the most part, fans agreed with those decisions with the hopes that we'd be able to sell high on other players (ADA, Buch, etc.).
At some point, that crossroads is going to be upon us. Whether it's because we need to resign some of the guys you mentioned, or because we decide to cash in some chips and add a high-priced player like Eichel, good players are likely to be moved.