That return on Donskoi and Zadorov is bad.

Zadorov is worth a 2nd + 3rd/prospect, so basically gets that return on his own. And Donskoi isn't a zero-value asset.

I see Z as worth a 2nd. So yeah it's not a great return but I don't think it's horrible. I wanted some depth at RD and Priskie came to mind. I didn't put a ton of effort into the trade though, tbh.

If you want depth at RD just trade a late-round pick to Carolina for McKeown.

That's fair. My main goal was just to show how the team could get Hall and remain cap compliant. Seems I didn't present it clearly if some think I'm trading 2/3 of the roster, when in reality it's 2 or (at worst) 3 guys, but oh well.

The return was definitely an afterthought, but Florida seemed like a fit due to their UFAs, depth at RD, and Tallon being a guy who would like Z. They should probably add more though. Fair criticism in your part for sure.

Above you mention if we get in cap trouble that you'd move kadri, burky or girard. Johnsons contract space will go directly to macks next contract so you can't bank on that being available for other players. Belly and cole will most likely be let go i agree, but i think we will resign calvert as we need some grit and grind in the line up.

1 MacKinnon 6,300,000
2 Hall 9,250,000
3 Rantanen 9,250,000
4 Kadri 4,500,000
5 Landeskog 7,250,000
6 Burakovsky 5,000,000
7 Newhook 925,000
8 Jost 1,250,000
9 Nichushkin 3,000,000
10 Bowers 925,000
11 O'Connor 700,000
12 Kaut 894,167
13 Kamenev 800,000

1 Girard 5,000,000
2 Johnson 6,000,000
3 Graves 2,850,000
4 Makar 9,000,000
5 Byram 925,000
6 Timmins 925,000
7 Lindholm 742,500

1 Grubauer 4,250,000
2 Francouz 2,000,000
81,736,667

I understand what you're trying to do, and if the cap was going up a few mil then it would work for sure, but you're banking on a lot of low level contracts, 8 below 1 mil. I think you're a little low on a couple as well (Timmins, Grubes & Jost) But the main point is this roster has no depth anymore.
Taylor hall has only played in 70 games in 4 of his 10 seasons. Doesn't seem worth it to risk all the depth we've got right now for scoring when that is not our issue at all. Even with all our injuries this season we're 4th in Goals for/Game. I think everyone would love to see mack and hall flying up the ice or have him come out 2nd line with kadri, but without the cap raise i don't think it's possible anymore.

The way I see it, the only real movement is this: Hall for Donskoi; Newhook for Compher; and then Bowers, Kaut, and O'Connor for Bellemare, Calvert, and Nieto. I think most of these happen anyway, so it boils down to this in my mind: would you trade Donskoi and Calvert for Hall and O'Connor? That's a resounding yes for me.

You are right that I may be low in a couple spots (I effed up on Timmins, who would no longer be on his ELC, so add a $300k or so there), but I also think it's possible I'm high in others. And one possibility I didn't mention is a bridge for Makar with a high second year salary (guaranteeing a big QO). That saves a little money during the flat cap period.

The last thing I'll mention is that I'm not sure I agree on depth depletion. Kamenev is still the 13th forward, and if you look at who was called up this year (outside of Kaut) Tynan, Megna, and Dries lead the way. They will need to have those types of guys with the Eagles again, along with a Connauton for additional insurance on the back end, but that is pretty doable. I'm just not seeing it as being as big of an issue as you are. This is not to say I don't get your concern, as I do, but it's worth the risk in my opinion.