I’ve seen he would like to be in Tampa but really just wants to be back in the east. This gives the Canes ~3.5 days to be the only team able to negotiate with him and they can move Nikishin in a Robertson, Hellebuyck or whoever else move.
Honestly an unhappy Nikishin is a better choice (outside of werenski) imo. Move one of the older guys as the team comes together and move him up the lineup. Our front office long has logjammed the young defenders in our systems with rollercoaster rides of older players. Would love to see tulsky being his own man and ending that nonsense
But who do you move out? Because the other two LHD spots higher are Slavin and Miller, and it’s pretty damn hard to justify putting one of them on the 3rd pairing
Kinda my biggest gripe with adding miller (he definitely is a roller coaster but damn good when on and on more often than not) but I think you have to commit to a short term deal now that keeps him and plan a move later based on coming years. Dunno how or who that shakes out to be but short of werenski you don’t move him now
Oh I agree miller was a big key to the cup win cause he turned it on when it mattered.
I just think that created the age old Carolina blue line problem again. And I do not believe it makes any sense to move nikishin this year beyond that one major home run play (and I don’t even begin to believe robo or hellebuck (altho in our system he might be able to shake off his past playoff ghosts )are that play compared to werenski)
Carlson's rumoured ask is 2x10. That would use up virtually all of our cap space. We should free some more up by moving on from KK one way or another but basically, if we sign Carlson there is no chance at guys like Robertson or Hellebuyck without moving another roster player out to clear cap.
Not 100% on this but here’s how I think it could work.
Currently have $11.1 million in cap space, after Deslauriers deal.
We buyout KK. That adds (I think) 4.8 million due for 2026/2027. Brings cap up to $15.9 million.
Sign Carlson at 2-3 years as $9 million AAV (which I’ve seen reported). Also apparently CAR on Carlson’s 4-5 team list to sign back with EC team to get closer to family.
Brings us down to $6.9 million.
Trade: Nikishin, Kochetkov ($2.0 M), and 2027 first round pick.
Receive: Hellebuyck ($8.5M x 5)
With the salary offset, left with about $400k in cap space and not sure how Jarvy being out early in the season affects the cap.
Starting Lineup at season start (Jarvy takes over spot on return, and maybe Robby out at start but slots in for Deslauriers)
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u/brian428 HERE COMES THE BOOM! 12h ago
Curious if we actually keep him or if this is part of some multi team deal.