We're not paying a 1st or a 2nd to move him. He's a fine middle 6 player these days, slightly overpaid because of the flat cap. He has 4 years left on his contract but really just 1 in Tampa if he refuses to waive this summer. He's either taken in the expansion draft or traded when his NTC becomes modified. If we have to keep him that's fine as he is still a good player just not at his peak anymore.
That's fine. TJ is a solid middle 6'er, but we're not paying to add his 4yr. bloated salary & cap. We have plenty of other options, including the status quo. We'll be getting plenty of decent to good offers, as there is a huge surplus of sellers & shortage of cap space teams.
I'm seeing some say TJ will return to scoring 50-60pts+ with more TOI in Detroit...hahahaha. We're a lottery team & he'd be lucky to replicate 40pts, even with 3-4more min/gp.
Yzerman owes TBL nothing & vice versa. If anything, the Wings did Yzerman & the Bolts a HUGE Favor by allowing him to interview & accept the GM job in '11 (he was still under contract with the Wings), but the Wings are painfully loyal to their own. The Cup team you're watching now & for the last 9+ seasons is all Yzerman (save for Hedman & Stamkos) who were there prior. You're welcome.
Sure JBB added Goodrow/Coleman/Shatty/ZachB., those are depth pieces after his departure/homecoming, some of which cost 1sts, ouch. But the blueprint was all Stevie Y.
The runner up finalist DAL, is built by Wings former AGM Jim Nill.