I actually don't have an issue with Lucic's $, or Russell's for that matter. It's the term that bothers me. You couldn't bring either of those guys down by a couple years? I mean Lucic wasn't exactly stellar this year.... And then there's the NTCs/NMCs but enough has been said on that.
The Leafs can afford to pay Marleau and there is no way I'd pay that but then I look at what Shattenkirk got with the Rangers... Yes he wasn't going to come here but it's a perfectly reasonable deal that ends when he's 32. You can shorten their terms even if you have to pay a little more.
I don't want our GM to hand out lengthy deals to middling players when the Oilers haven't won a cup yet. Unfortunately the Sekera injury forced his hand on the Russell deal but I'm sure something could've been done to shorten the term.
Lucic is an L.A. King in all likelihood if Chia doesn't offer the extra term, such is life in free agency. I don't like the term on the Russell deal either but they really need him (wasn't a lot of options out there) so again, such is life in free agency. I probably prefer Russell (even with the contract) plus the 2018 1st and 2nd rounder to Hamonic.
The Eberle trade was made for two reasons, because he wasn't a fit on the team anymore (looked really out of place last season) and I'm sure Chia prefers the cheaper, more versatile Strome.
They needed this because the middle 2 lines last season were a one trick pony. Now with Strome and Jokinen, this affords Mclellan a lot more lineup flexbility. They now have 5 players in their top 9 who can move around from center to wing, that's really important when adjusting to different matchups and in case of injury.
This also freed up enough space to leave enough cushion to be able to pay potential bonuses/Drai contract. I'm not over the moon about the trade but I can understand why it was done and in a way, I'm relieved that we don't have to watch Eberle struggle through games anymore. It was time to move on for him and team.