They won't begin to bank any cap space until Niskanen is activated off of LTIR but this could be a solid plan if they believe DSP, Vrana, Burakovsky, Wilson and maybe Stephenson can all be relied upon in scoring-line roles if need be. The one thing I might try to salvage Connolly and their depth is putting Stephenson with Beagle and Connolly on the fourth line once Burakovsky returns. I don't know whether that line would gel but it could be worth trying. I'm not a huge fan of Connolly's all-around game but he should still be a touch better than Chiasson, albeit more up and down. Short of that, though, I'm not sure Connolly warrants an immediate look on the third line based on his play prior to getting hurt and if they do want to open up some space it makes a lot of sense.
Whatever they do in the short-term, Stephenson needs to stay in the lineup. He's got the pace and productivity they need. I don't expect him to keep up this sort of point pace but he's a legit well-rounded young player and the sort of piece they need to be developing given uncertainty with pending UFAs Eller and Beagle. His versatility is more legit than Graovac and Walker from a smoothness standpoint and an uptick in suggested potential makes him pretty interesting. Hopefully they don't bury it for the sake of waiver status in favor of veterans because they're veterans.
Yeah -- Stephenson needs to stay in the line up, no matter what. Same with Djoos and Bowey. These are the types of players that may make a difference in the playoffs (should they make it).
Connolly is simply more expensive than Chiasson or DSP. I also think once Burakovsky returns, DSP is the guy that will round out the 4th line w Beagle. I'd like to see Stephenson stay in a top 9 role, frankly. He's the Caps Sheary/Rust type, IMO.
Conolly really has no place with Stephenson's emergence and with DSP's solid play. DSP at least brings some presence to the team, and he's not too slow to play anywhere in the lineup. I don't see Connolly has adding any real value to any line, based on the rest of the personnel (he's less gifted than Vrana or Burakovsky, and he doesn't bring the same elements as Stephenson and DSP). He's probably most like Chiasson, but he's almost 1m more expensive and you don't need that as 13th F or 4th line W. When Bura is back, I see:
Ovy -Kuz - Bura
Steph/Vrana - Backs - Osh
Steph/Vrana - Eller - Wils
Walker/Chiasson - Beagle - DSP
Walker/Chiasson
Orlov - Nisky
Djoos - Carlson
Orpik - Bowey
Chorney.
I know that's under the Cap, just not sure how much.