Ryan For Eriksson?
Assuming both Eriksson and Ryan's bonuses get paid out July 1st....
We'd pay Ryan 30 million over 4 years (7.5M average) / We'd pay Eriksson 15M over 4 years (3.75M average) (3/5/4/4 salary)
That is because, Ryan has a 2M bonus paid out on July 1st, Eriksson a 7M bonus.
I do that easily as the Senators. We save 15 million, Ryan is better than Eriksson but is constantly injured. Although Eriksson has missed time due to injury the past two seasons, we're talking about saving an average of 3.5M per season, so expectations change. If I am Vancouver, I ask for a major asset to eat that 7M.
I can't see how they like Ryan enough to do that trade, and not exercise the leverage that paying most of Eriksson's salary this upcoming season would give them in a deal with Ottawa. Also, Eriksson has a full NTC, so I don't think he's a realistic option. If Karlsson re-signs here, and they are actually buddies, maybe he comes over. Ask yourself this, you have a NTC, do you agree to waive to be dealt to this tire fire?
Ryan For Lucic?
Lucic is not a bad option if he'll waive his NMC to come here, and EDM wants to do it. He's got one more year than Ryan, but has an average salary of 4.8M if we do the deal after both signing bonuses are paid (Lucic's bonus is 1.5M greater than Ryan's)
Ryan's contract would require Edmonton taking on an additional 1.25M in cap, but would be one year shorter for them. For the Senators, the contract would be 1 year longer, but the Senators would save 6 million dollars over the lifetime of the contract compared to keeping Ryan. Lucic also can bring an element we're lacking in being a mean gritty bottom 6 forward who can supply some secondary scoring. Is that worth 4.8M per season? No. But we're talking about acquiring him with the sunk cost of a 30 point winger being paid 7.25M per season.
(30 point because he's injured far too much to reach his points per 82 games that is often cited to defend Ryan's ability. It doesn't matter if he is on a 40-50 point tick if he isn't likely to play 82 games).
Ryan (30-50 Percent Retained) For Hossa?
I don't think Chicago does this, but it would be a reasonable way to balance our need to cut salary with their need to cut cap and improve their team. Hossa has a 5.275M cap hit for the next THREE seasons, but is only owed a real money salary of 1M. Furthermore, his contract might be insured, which would bring his real money owed down to 200k.
Chicago does get cap relief for Hossa, but LTIR is not the same as a cap hit disappearing. They only get the full 5.275M back if they exceed the cap by that full amount at the time they place Hossa on LTIR. So for example, if they only exceed the cap by 2.275M, that's 3M in cap space they lose out on being able to use.
While I doubt Ryan would appeal to any team at 50 percent retained due to his extensive injury history, the Senators ridding the Blackhawks of Hossa's contract adds a different dynamic to the situation. While I think 50 percent retained+Hossa would be excessive, even in that scenario the Senators save nearly 3 million dollars in real money per season (more if Hossa is insured). It's effectively a more efficient form of a buyout.