HAHAHA how about a 5th for Ceci and 6th for Kulak and maybe a 2nd for Smith

Not a chance. Ceci is a solid defender who can easily net us a late 2nd. Kulak is a good bottom pair guy that has a reasonable 2.75M contract. Definitely can get a 3rd. Reilly Smith is worth a 3rd.. even ask Pens fans. Not giving much more for a guy who has 37 points in 71 games this year. Also, how does that get more than Ceci? I’m convinced people don’t know who Cody Ceci really is, and many are just living in the past.

That is why I said maybe a 2nd but yes a 3rd is fair to. But although Ceci isn't that bad and actually a solid d man but he has no value in a trade to other teams and that's the same with Kulak. Not saying they are bad but they win't get much in a trade.

no reason for PIT to retain on that contract.
They could have moved him this year if they wanted to retain, they didn't.
If they don't move him at the draft no retention, they will move him at TDL if they are out.
They aren't in a cap crunch and saving 2.5 million isn't really going to make or break the team.