So you're risking getting lesser players to save at most 300k (minimum salary is 700k for 19-20) on Thompson and 700k on Weal?
You also know that Weal/Thompson fit in the locker room and adhere to the game plan, while you can't be sure of that with random waiver guy #1.
Weal/Thompson "fit" in the locker room no better or worse than any depth player does in a few weeks.
Being able to "fit in" is what surviving in the NHL as a depth player is all about.
Plus, we were a non playoff team, the roster heading into next season could, and should, have at least a few significant changes.
Zero value to the "fit" argument.
And yes, when it comes to managing the cap, and you have both need & opportunity to add a significant talent, then every $ of cap space is important... 2.5M$ of flexibility is not insignificant.
Yes, the roster spots eventually need to get filled, but again, there was zero reason or need to do so when he did.
Timing is an important aspect of roster management, just one of many that MB is clueless or unskilled at.