not sure if you know this or not but VAN needs cap space..................

When healthy, absolutely. Yes.

And with a whole fourth line on LTIR, sitting at 8th in the West, they need a healthy 4th liner, too. Stephenson and Motte are similar defensively. Each only has about 30 career points. But Stephenson has four times as many points this season (four) and is not currently on IR. He's also doing okay on faceoffs again this year which, with Beagle and Sutter out, could be interesting. And he played LW next to Beagle that time they won a Cup in 2018, so he's got that going for him.

when health and now. LTIR gives some relief but I am going to assume Hughes and Petterson make most of their Bonuses. LTIR doesnt give space for that. AS a result you looking aat about 3M more in lost cap space next season.... seems it would look important to manage those dollars now and not add any unnecessary money to it. Use you minors and call players up for a game or 2 to fill holes. after all that is why benning spent all of his cap was so you had the depth not to panic and add more via trade.