Sign Hoffman, Bunting, Rittich, and Coleman. Lose Steel in the expansion draft. Buyout Silfverberg and Henrique in 2022 (less than 2 million cap hit for 4 seasons for both). Trade Rakell and Manson for 2022 picks.
Hoffman-Zegras-Terry
Comtois-Getzlaf-Coleman
Jones-Lundestrom-Silfverberg
Bunting-Grant-Volkov
Henrique (first player in for injuries)
Lindholm-Drysdale
Fowler-Shattenkirk
Fleury-Benoit
Gibson
Rittich
I can't see any reason to buyout Silf or Henrique in 2022 - maybe after 2022-23 (maybe). I guess if the ducks need the cap space, ok. But that doesn't seem likely in 2022. I'd rather put them on the 4th line if need be and ride out the contracts. The problem with the buyout is you're deferring cap dollars to the years you'll need them to re-sign zegras, drysdale and the other young (and hopefully valuable) talent in the pipeline.
I can see a place for Hoffman at the right price, but Rittich, Bunting and Coleman don't strike me as fits. They're the type of players who are likely to be overpaid and not really move the needle for the ducks.
Separately, for some reason I feel like the ducks could make a run at Dougie Hamilton. For some reason, that seems to me like a Murray move and Hamilton is the quirky type of guy who might sign in a place like Anaheim (i.e., looking to play a bit outside the NHL limelight).
I'd offer Rakell + Comtois + Perrault + 2021 first +2022 first. I imagine the lack of a center going back would be an issue.
That's an overpayment for the ducks - given their assets - unless there's serious trade protection on the 2022 pick. The bottom line is the ducks can't give up that much and still field a competitive team going forward. And I say that as someone who sees Eichel as a 1C the ducks desperately need.
I think Buffalo is going to want at least one big name - Gibson or Lindholm and then a bunch of other pieces. The problem is that many other teams have better assets to offer - NYR, Kings, and even Calgary. I think the ducks are going to need to ride it out a bit to accumulate assets and then look to make a trade or sign a top level UFA if one becomes available in the next few years (Laine?).