Of course, projections aren’t the be-all, end-all, so it’s possible that Gauthier gets a higher number than projected. That would put the Ducks in a tight spot, tighter than anything they’ve experienced since Pat Verbeek took over as the general manager in 2022. This argument also becomes moot if Carlsson’s offer sheet ultimately goes unmatched, but it’s difficult to envision a scenario where that becomes a reality.
