So, initially I was going to explore a Jeff Skinner – Dylan Strome trade. Maybe look into a Colton Sissons deal. Then I stumbled onto a cash strapped team that may need to make hard decisions. The TB Lightning are tight and need to figure out some contracts. Then I had this crazy notion of trading for Anthony Cirelli. Is it even worth it? I’ll leave it up to you to decide… I’m just in the mood for a 2nd/3rd line C right now.
What do we have…. Cirelli had 20g and 25a for a modest 45pts and a +2 this season. Skinner only gave us 46 pts with a -2 on 16:00 per game. Cirelli is a solid 2-way guy that had time on both the power play and penalty kill (2 shorties this year) and sees the ice 18 1/2 mpg on a very good roster. He also won draws at a 49.2%. I have a Benson-Cirelli-Greenway line vibe! AC is the type of player Ruff would LOVE.
The money goes like this… Skins has 9M over the next 3. Cirelli gets 6.25M over the next 7 (yep). Buff keeps 50% of the Skinner salary. TB now only pays $4.5 increasing their cap room by 1.75M and giving them a clean sheet in 3 yrs. Yes, Buff takes it a little on the chin a little as Cirelli actually costs 10.75 over the next 3. However, when the smoke clears they ride off with a 29yo solid 3rd or 2nd line C for 6.25M for 4 more years.
Why not? You may have to sweeten the deal with picks and/or a prospect… so what. Would TB do it… probably not, but GMKA should call anyway.
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