OT: Golden Knights' Cap

[Stunner_At_Staples_Kings]

Last year, the Knights had great contracts, but they've inked some big ones the past year, and I can't see them making it work. Correct me if I'm wrong, but maybe their goal is to let Karlsson go? The numbers might just work out if that's their plan.

Vegas Golden Knights - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

I don't see how they are going to sign William Karlsson. They have $2.5mil in projected cap space right now:

Mark Stone will go from $7.35mil/year to $9mil/year
Max Pacioretty will go from $4.050mil/year to $7mil/year
Alex Tuch will go from $925K to $4.75mil/year
Nate Schmidt will go from $2.225mil/year to $5.950mil/year

So even taking off Bellemare and his $1.45mil/year, getting rid of Tomas Nosek at $925K, Brandon Pirri $650K, Derek Engelland at $1.5mil/year.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Yup, they are nearly capped out in only 2 years. I hope their roster delivers for their sake.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Karlsson go, he is going to fall far short of expectations this season. Granted, last season he over achieved in every statistical category and reality is coming back this season - he is on pace for 50 points (23G/27A) vs his 78 points (43G/35A) last season. He was very Muzzinesque last season around the league, held in way too high regard.

His 23.4% shot percentage was supernatural last season and he is shooting below (13.8%) his 14.4% career average but even then that 14.4% is pumped up by two 20%+ anomaly seasons (2014-15, 2017-18 - his other 3 years are horrid, 8.3% x 2 and even a 6.3% year) so I think the 13.8% is grossly inflated too. His FO% is around 47% too which is below NHL standards of at least 50%.

He definitely caught lightning in a bottle last season and tried to cash in, and good for McPhee for not caving. Had he given him a long term deal, their cap situation would be even worse. Karlsson is showing he is not a $5.25 million player.

Signing Stone and his new $9.5 million and Karlsson due a new contract and also an RFA with arbitration rights, he is a prime target to not return next year - I think he will be traded.