Voted Pulju, but it would be nice to keep both. There are way worse players that should be axed before these guys. I would try to trade Kassian right now, even if we are in playoff mix. But he just isn't top9 player in good NHL team and way too expensive for 4th line. Hope that one GM is stupid enough to take him because he wants grit for playoffs. I would prefer both guys above Foegele too, he is 3rd liner and nothing more. Don't extend Archibald.
Then I would seek out of Smith and/or Keith would retire, if not try to trade them. Barrie should be finding a new home too.
Every little overpay matters, it all adds up. Not having Kassian around and if Nurse would have gotten a bit more reasonable cap-hit we would have 5-6mil more room.
Kane-97-Yama
Hyman-29-Pulju
RNH-McLeod-Ryan
Edit. And totally forgot about Holloway. If he is ready next year, that's even better. That would bump Ryan on to the 4th line with Shore.
Would be absolute elite top9. Assemble 4th line from players that cost under million per player, that top9 can eat a lot of minutes.
Nurse-X
X-Bouchard
Broberg-Ceci
X
Skinner