Unfortunately, I expect the NHL to lock out again, at least for a half season in 2020-2021. Especially after they pushed Seattle's start to 2021-2022, when it initially looked like it was gonna be in 2020-2021. Between that and the Key Arena not being on track to be ready until November 2020, a month after the season begins, I think we'll probably be seeing another half season lockout.
The good news is that if the cap is lowered, I think we'll see each team handed at least one amnesty buyout and I think it would be wise to use one on Vlasic at that point. Even if he plays competently over the next 1.5 years or 2 combined years, say the amnesty buyouts aren't used until Summer of 2021. Vlasic will be 34 years old at that point and still signed for 5 more years. Notice I say if he plays ''Competently'' and not if he plays like the Vlasic of old. If he somehow on the off-chance plays like the Vlasic of old, maybe I'd consider keeping him, but he'd need to play like that for consecutive seasons before I wouldn't think it was just an anomaly or an ''Up year''.