Think you've shown that another trade is necessary to be cap compliant and have full roster.

Hyman is on LTIR to start the season as well. Plus they could easily yoyo Mikheyev up and down on off days to pinch pennies. This also doesn't include the inevitable Connor Brown trade.

Maximum roster is 23, minimum is 20 but in today’s game 21 is not realistic. Thin you just proved another trade will be necessary.

Roster only requires 20 players

23-man Roster
There may be a maximum of 23 players on each Club's playing roster at any one time from the commencement of the NHL regular season through the trade deadline. Prior to the start of the season, each Club must submit to the NHL its "Opening Day Playing Roster" which shall be comprised of not more than 23 players. Each Club must have a roster of at least 20 players, composed of 18 skaters and two goaltenders. Players on Injured Reserve do not count in the 23-man limit.

Hence my yoyo comment, Mikheyev is the biggest waivable caphit.

That defense is rough.

Still have to believe that more than Brown has to go. Brown and Kadri or Brown and Zaitsev is a must, (brown would have to replaced in lineup which is at least 700k, a 13th forward is at least 700k, which means your 12th-13th forwards are scrubs and you still don’t have enough for another player. A bigger contract than Browns has to go, and chances are you’ll get a contract back from a Kadri or Zaitsev trade, albeit a lesser one.

And while you can yoyo a player, you generally want to do that with the depth guys, not a 3rd liner.

I think the RFA re-signings for Johnsson and Kapanen are light too, think they’ll both be 300-600k more.

I think Zaitsev and Brown go, but to address the defense another guy with value must go. A Kapanen for Gotisbehere would work for both clubs needs.

So take away Brown, Zaitsev and Kapanen and you acquire Gotisbehere and almost 5mil for a couple UFA cheap vets (a Ennis and maybe an Orpik or vet defenseman) and a full roster