I love Frans but he's clearly taken a step back in his game. (0 points in 15 games?!) Isles have too many important contracts coming up (Barzal, Pulock, Toews etc) to take back Frans at even half salary. If they're taking on money: 1) the player needs to be worth it and 2) a contract needs to go back the other way to mitigate the cap liability.

Only trades I could see happening are the green and howard trades Neilson's contract is just so bad he's untradeable. Errorson already went through waivers and no one grabbed him, so no one will trade for him and his ludacris contract and the helm trade you might have to spice up a bit

Ericsson was coming off injury, with a majority of his caphit left when he went through waivers. If they trade him at the deadline AND absorb money, they'll definitely be able to move him to a playoff team that wants depth... they won't get much, but they'll be able to get something (late picks) from a team lacking defense (especially if a team is lacking on PK). Otherwise, I agree with everything else you said.