Even if Ehlers and De Leo sign, they won't count until they turn pro. Not sure what you are getting at with the NCAA kids, every team has those, it doesn't keep them from signing or taking chances on players.
Ah, I didn't know the CHL guys didn't count under the 50. Lodge and Kostalek will though, since they are older than 19 now. As for the NCAA guys, I just meant they literally CAN'T sign or they lose their NCAA eligibility.
Looking at capgeek, we have 38 contracts as of now - Morrissey and Comrie don't count as they are only 19, but everyone else listed as a "non-roster player" does. Frolik, Lodge and Kostalek get us to 41, and they will still need a body or two for the farm. I imagine this settles in around 43-44. That's not bad.
Contracts represent real money going out the door, even if only a little. Maybe it's a budget issue, too?