Cap was projected for 82 next year. Better cross your fingers.

That defence though....

Can't see Ozhiganov taking so little since he just one year away from being a UFA. If he's a NHLer he get more. AHLer Subban on the team? Better hope not. Not that is cap hell at all, but some high priced player, Nylander? will have to be traded.

Ennis, Sparks over paid fourth line and backup needs to be league min. Johnson or Kapanen will need to go that will free up enough to get a solid Dman. Next year Marleau contract done and can use to get a stud D

Setting aside some of your monetary evaluations, even if the cap is your $83.5M (which is highly doubtful), you're right at it and you still have one more player to sign (2019 minimum: $700k). Since you're not going to trade one of the top 7 forwards and the 8th (Marleau) has a no-movement clause, and you're presumably not going to trade one of your top 4 defensemen, it looks like your only alternatives are to trade Connor Brown or Freddie Andersen.

Unless there is a trade, there likely isn't any big money money for a UFA . Dermot, Grundstrom, Brown maybe more will want and likely deserve raises. There goes that Marleau money....and then you still gotta replace Marleau.

I know. When I did this exercise, my bottom 5 were Dermott-Liljegren; Borgman-Morin (from Philly) and promoting Andrew Nielsen from the Marlies.

Over paid Matthews Marner and nylander. Salary cap will be around 82mil. It’s possible to sign all 3, keep kappy and Johnson as well as gardiner. Going to take some work. Johnsson signing off on his Qo might hurt us. Would have liked to lock him in for 2 years.