Last yr was part of the rebuild & DJ had to play players like Ennis, Namestikov & other UFAs to increase their value somewhat to hopefully move them at the deadline which they did successfully. This coming season I expect they will over play Anisimov, Tierny, Reilly & maybe even Hawryluk to also increase their value leading up to the deadline. That's what rebuilding teams do is sign a couple of decent UFAs during the off season to help the younger guys, then move them at the deadline for some assets/picks.
I don't agree with you on White at all, he plays a very good defensive game since he started playing in Ottawa & it's his offensive game that needs a little more work or luck. I doubt he will ever drive a line, but be more of the defensive conscience of a line with two good offensive players. This doesn't mean that Ottawa won't replace him at some point if a better player emerges from the prospects at centre, but at the moment he plays the kind of defensive game that DJ clearly likes. IMO he has kind of taken over for Pageau in that regard.
The defence on this team is most concerning & the defencemen they have signed & traded for are also most concerning IMO. I think Wolanin is head & shoulders better than any of the other guys you mentioned, he was the best defencemen in Belleville before he was called up & was looking great & then the injury ruined his yr. I also thought he looked good before the season ended due to the pandemic. Given his age & experience I think he will get another long look. The only guy who could challenge him from that list of players is Brannstrom who is also a left shot, the others are right shots except for Aspirot who I consider an AHL defenceman. Brannstrom might be a better passer & younger but Wolanin is the better skater, bigger, tougher & better defensively, if Wolanin can generate more offence than he will be tough to beat IMO.