You could get very good players with that cap room

JVR for nothing or maybe a cheap option like a Jarnkrot

As a Flyers fan, JVR has had some **** puck luck this year. I think he could be a very interesting pick up for Ottawa if they go that route.

First I think the sens will have more cap room than that to work within the off-season. I do not see Grambell, Teirney, Ennis, Maybe Sanford on the team next year. Also given his play this year I hope they can move out from Zaitsev, Holden I think would be worth resigning.

Second I think you have to give more money to Paul to keep him on the team. I also see Grieg and Sokolov making this team next year. If the Sens do somehow end up with a top 5 pick, then there is also a Likely a top 6 forward there.

Given that my list for External would include:
Giroux, Fiala, Keller, Necas, Boeser (unlikely you can get him now if Van keeps turning it around)

Internal:
C Brown, Formenton (the speed is a weapon and he plays better with Offensive players)
Pipedream is a top 5 pick from the draft that shows well and slides in the top 6 - Wright, Geekie(would be my pick if available), Slafkovsky, Kemell

Theres about 14-15mil in cap space (you've got about 16 forwards in the above), something like a JVR for Austin Watson or 1.5mil retained deal would add 5.5mil, but JVR can play RW too and is a solid producing vet for the youngsters and reliable 20-25 goals a year (he and the flyers have struggled, but hes producing now). Or a Josh Bailey from NYI?

Then with that RW spot you can get somebody who's multi faceted like a cheap UFA Jarnkrot, or a Alex Kilhorn or ....

I would say get rid of White but since he has been hurt this year you have to give him another shot , his trade value is minimal now anyways. Zaitsev is another I would try to move but it would cost a sweetener or taking back a bad contract. Please get rid of Watson and find a real enforcer.
Nick Paul signing I like . Norris signing seems reasonable price and term ( Batherson should fire his agent ) . Tierney, Holden, Sanford let them go. Gambrell, Ennis as role players signed under a million ok I would rather see Greig or Sokolov get a shot on up front.
As for UFA's to play with Stutzle I would for with Forsberg Palat , Copp , Reilly Smith, Rackell in that order . On the back end they need a veteran physical presence Chiarot would be nice , Cole could be had at a reasonable price as a 5/6 and I would like to see them bring back Boro as the 6/7th D man

Zaitsev for JVR straight up is something I floated a while back (PHI has Ellis, Risto and Braun but 2 of them are UFAs and they have both Cam York and Zamula on LD probably coming up next yr, so an overpaid 3rd pair RD wouldn;t go a miss)

I'd be ok with JVR and MacEwen for Zaitsev and Watson

TKACHUK - NORRIS - BATHERSON
GREIG - STUTZLE - GIROUX
FORMENTON - PINTO - BROWN
CROOKSHANK - PAUL - WATSON

I don't know where to put White. Buy him out? Trade him? Trade Paul instead?

Don't sign too many guys, will eventually need spots for Greig, Crookshank and maybe eventually Sokolov/Jarventie/Boucher/etc

I could have done Stutzle-Pinto-Giroux but the point here would be to have Stutzle as a Center who might be ready for that sooner than we thought. Having Giroux as a linemate would certainly teach him the ropes. I think Ridly Greig will be another beast and it won't take him very long. I'm putting him in a position to succeed right away

Since Pinto is missing pretty much this whole season, I'd let him be where he'd feel the more comfortable (and less pressure to produce) : the 3rd line, the matchup line. Brown is already a beast in that role and Formenton is getting there. That line will just drive people crazy. They will score on a regular basis and keep the puck away from our zone

And that 4th line would be hard to play against


For the defense, what needs to happen is :

CHABOT - GOOD
SANDERSON - ZUB
HOLDEN - JBD/THOMSON
METE


Trade Zaitsev for a significant upgrade? Use Brannstrom, prospects(s) and pick(s) to entice a team.

Keep Mete as 7th : young, cheap, fast, can play both sides, won't complain0

I love the idea of Grieg on the 2nd line. I hope Brannstrom comes back and gets some reps if not to earn a spot than to prove he’s still a decent trade chip. Any thoughts on what they should do with Murray?