So here is a scenario for you:
Trades:
Kreider to EDM for EDM 1st '18 + Puljujaarvi
Zuccarello to DAL for DAL 1st '19 + Gurianov
Staal (@ $4m cap hit) to SJ for Paul Martin + Mikkel Boedker
Halverson to TO for Matt Martin ($1.75m cap hit) + TO 3rd '18
Zborovskiy to WSH for Brooks Orpik + WSH 2nd '19 + WSH 3rd '19
UFA signings:
Roussel - 3 years @ $2m/season
Filpulla - 2 years @ $2.25m/season
RFA signings:
Namestnkiov - 6 years @ $4m/season
Skjei - 7 years @ $4.1m
Spooner - 5 years @ $3.5m
Hayes - 5 years @ $4.0m
Vesey - 3 years @ $2.15m
Gilmour - 1 year @ $900k
Line-up:
Namestnikov-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Boedker-Hayes-Spooner
Vesey-Andersson/Chytil-Pulujaarvi
Roussel-Filpulla-Fast
M. Martin
Skjei-DeAngelo
Gilmour-Shattenkirk
Smith/Orpik-Pionk
Smith/Orpik
Paul Martin sent to the minors
Hank
Georgiev
Smith/Orpik could also be sent down to the AHL if they find a defenseman more worth of those minutes.
I know it's not 'pretty' but this leaves the team with ~$2m in cap space to begin the season with the ability to bury a couple of players.
Orpik's contract is up after next season so that's $5.5m in free space
Martin's contract is up after next season so that's $$ freed as well (how much depends on whether he is in the NHL or AHL
Boedker can come in and fill a speed role on the 2nd/3rd line. His contract expires 1 year earlier than Staal's so this is just about clearing a contract earlier.
The 4th line of Roussel-Filpulla-Fast can jump up and be a 3rd line when that 3rd line is struggling. All (3) PK as well.
The Rangers add (2) more 1st's (Kreider + MZA), a 3rd (Martin), and a 2nd and 3rd (taking Orpik)
The defense is going to struggle but patience there until something opens up and an opportunity presents itself to improve.
I really dig the general concept, and can very much see the Kreider/Zucc trades you suggest, but a couple of qualms:
1) I think you're taking on more bad contracts than I'd want. Martin, Martin, Boedker, and Orpik WHILE retaining money on Staal AND with Beleskey still in the org? That's a LOT of dead cap space, with at least three, perhaps all five (including Beleskey) of the players still in the organization flat-out sitting and with only one contract ending next year. Too much, I think. (Besides, if you retain meaningful money on Staal, given the way he's played this year, I'd argue you ought to be able to get value beyond just swapping salary dumps.)
2) I think you've underpriced Spooner, Hayes, and maybe also Skjei given the terms you've assumed.
3) In part because of 2, above, I think they need to move on from one of Hayes/Spooner/Namestnikov and backfill with a kid (if one of them earns it in camp) or a short-term vet signing (if none of them do).
My view is they trade:
1) Kreider (EDM would be my #1 landing spot)
2) Zuccarello (Dallas would also be my #1 landing spot)
3) one of either Hayes or Spooner (the two with only 1 RFA year remaining), and
4) perhaps take on ONE salary dump (potentially as part of one of the three deals above)
And sign:
1) a couple of UFA forwards (I can see both Filpula and Roussel)
2) maybe one UFA defensemen
3) 2-3 Paul Carey types for the Pack
(They might also move Staal with money retained if there's a market, but I don't see it as a priority in another rebuilding year, unless they can get value for him.)