Around The League - Everyone But The Habs

It makes sense to throw max money at McDavid. Past that, I think you have to do some thinking if you're Edmonton. Draisaitl is obviously a top player in the league and would be worth big money too, especially for a win-now team like Edmonton. That said, I think you also need to consider what is available via trade. As a GM in this league, you can't get bogged down by what has been, you need to think of what will be. Is Draisaitl at 13-14M for the next 8 year the best move you can make? What happens if another team offers you a combination of assets that could work for you too? For example, let's say Ottawa offers Brady Tkachuk, Sanderson, and the #7 pick... that gives you a forward asset, who grant it, is nowhere near Draisaitl but is still a good top 6 piece, along with a D man who could be a top-pairing guy for you for 8 years and a top pick. It saves you money, it lengthens your window while still giving you pieces you can win with now, and it fills multiple holes. Ottawa meanwhile, wants to make a splash to change the culture and get into the post-season, and Tkachuk has been rumored to be on the block, so maybe this is something they do to legitimize their franchise, even if there's longterm risk in what you've given up.

Likewise, Bouchard has played well for them, but how much of his success would be replicated if he didn't have McDavid and Draisaitl? 35 of his 82 points came on the world-class PP. How much of his success is because he's been stabilized by playing with Ekholm? is he a better D man this year because of natural progression or because he's done well since getting his current partner? I do think Bouchard is a good NHL D man. But I think Edmonton also needs to be careful about locking him in and paying him as if he's the only one responsible for his season. If I were the Oilers, I'd consider doing something like 7.5M a season, but I'm not paying him 9-10M, especially when I'm already saddled with one bad contract on my blue line for Nurse.