Could switch Bickell for Versteeg in Toronto trade and run with 22 man roster.
Either way this will strengthen the defensive aspect of the defense (which wins championships with this offense) while becoming cap compliant.
Although Daley has value, I wonder if the Sharks would trade a young cap friendly Dman for him. The Leafs are strong at LW.......Winnick 2.4m, Kormolov 2.95m are the 3rd and 4th line LW. Leafs only have 5m in cap room and can't see taking on an adjusted 3m for Bickell. Next year they have their own RFA signings which would eat into their cap. Agree with scarchelli. Keep Rundblad. Have Pokka on the big club, and you won't need Ehrhoff. Might add veteran Dman later in year.
I'm not sure where you get the 50,000 in savings. That 50,000 is what is held under the NHL cap and the other 950,000 is AHL cap hit.
The final 3 guys are really irrelevant in this because a 23 man roster with 400,000 extra allows for any movement (of the final 3 guys) Coach Q wants between AHL and NHL.
The Hawks need another defensive minded defensemen as Daley is brutal defensively and rundblad will continue struggle the entire year. The Hawks win because they don't allow many goals and have the offensive power up front to score. They aren't in need of an offensive defenseman. *read description*