Askarov still has 1 more year on his KHL deal I'm pretty sure, so he can't some over yet

that's why i have Rinne for a 1 year contract. Askarov will be eligible to come over after next season assuming he doesn't stay in the KHL. There's also alot of other UFA goalies that could be had but i stuck with Rinne due to familiarity.

For the most part, I'm down for this.

With all that cap space, I wonder if they would go after anyone in FA -- (I also think Rinne will sign for less if he does return, so they'd have a bit more there too). Maybe someone like Hoffman, Schwartz, or re-signing Granlund? Maybe someone like Laughton, Coleman, or Hyman?

However, a Josi - Ellis // Ekholm - Carrier // Farrance - Fabbro might just be the best defensive core this team has ever had.

It would be good but I like the way the team's handled itself defensively in Ellis' absence has impressed me. I'd like to move away from 1 of the aging dmen while they still have good value. Ekholm has been more durable then Ellis and I think Ekholm stabilizes the defense more than Ellis. I left all sorts of capspace because i'd like to leave room for extending Forsberg, Ekholm, and Kunin

With how well Tolvanen seems to do with any line he's put on in the top 6 right now, I wonder if Forsberg/Tolvanen could be on split up on different lines next year -- something like...

Tolvanen - Johansen - Arvidsson
Forsberg - Duchene - Tomasino

And hopefully Forsberg could help spark Duchene's offensive side.

I think recency bias plays into the Ellis/Ekholm debate. Ellis has suffered multiple injuries and Ekholm has been playing well. However, I agree with an Ellis trade, Carrier and Fabbro are both capable RHD. Ellis, Carrier, Davies, Allard are all under 6'0, moving on from Ekholm would remove the size element from the lineup with only players like Ben Harpur and Boro to fill the void. (two players who should not be in the lineup).
It would be a shame to not give Allard a chance on the 3rd pair. He was leading the Carrier vs. Allard debate and if he could play anywhere close to where Carrier is rn, it would be a massive upgrade over Benning.
Regardless, they need to add elite offensive prospects with whatever moves they make.

I would be very happy if the preds can keep this top6 with those D pairings

That is quite possible. These last couple games with Forsberg injured Tolvanen has looked good with RV and Joey. Forsberg and Duchene also meshed really well and the addition of Tomasino would be good