Trade away rentals for more assets and spend the last couple of months seeing which kids can play in the NHL. Up front, Batherson, Balcers, Norris, Formenton, Brown, (and now Yamamoto) can all be top 6 players in the future and are almost ready to make the jump. Chlapik, Davidsson, Abramov, Verroneau, and Wilkie are all potential middle 6 players who could soon make the jump. On defense, Jaros and Lajoie have looked good every time they've been called up and they should stay up at some point. Brannstrom could also get another NHL look this year. In net, Hogberg should get a few starts every time Anderson is out if he's gonna replace him once he retires.
As for NHL players who are staying, there's a few obvious ones like Tkachuk, Duclair, White, Paul, Chabot, Wolanin, Nilsson, and the bad contracts. Tierney I thought should stay because he's an RFA at the end of the season and I think he has more to give and want to see more from him; I'd like to see him signed to a three year contract before next season. I've loved DeMelo since the first game he played next to Chabot, they've developed great chemistry together, and if we can get DeMelo signed before the deadline then it's a no brainer; I'd like to see him signed longer-term, like six years. Hainsey has been a great mentor for the kids on defense, especially Brannstrom at the beginning and now Lajoie; I'd even like him to stay for next season if he doesn't retire. As for Anderson, he's the most important goalie that this organization has ever seen and I'd like to see him retire a Senator.
For the trades I made in this post, Boston has no holes in their lineup, and their only real problem is the Backes contract, so they can pay us to take it, and it will help us to hit the cap floor next season if need be. Pittsburgh also has a bad contract, so they could pay us to take it and also get Namestnikov, who proved in Tampa that he can produce given superstar linemates. The Vegas trade is to get rid of two depth players to make room for prospects, in return we get AHL depth and a pick. Borowiecki has been good this season, and he's great in the locker room, but we should trade him while his value is high. The Edmonton trade is the biggest one, we get rid of players that would be good to have around in the future, but get a high end prospect, picks, and Gagner for cap reasons. Pageau and Brown have both had great seasons so far, and that means that their trade values are high. Pageau in particular will probably get a big contract, which isn't something that Ottawa wants, especially given he probably won't be able to keep up this production for long. As for Zaitsev, I'll be honest, I have no idea what his trade value is, so whether we get a better return or even have to pay a 3rd for Detroit to take him, it's worth doing so that DeMelo, Jaros, and Hainsey can all play, and if one goes down then Goloubef can come up temporarily.