Now as for what we need...
First, we have to trade for a #2LHD. Whether they need to be a true #2 is debatable, but as long as they are a #3 at worst and can play 22+ good defensive minutes - they are a gold mine for us. That should be ASAP because it is so vital.
xxxx - Vatanen
Mueller/Greene - Severson
Greene/Mueller - Butcher
Lovejoy
Next, we need a top 3-6 forward. At this point I think we can afford for it to be any position as long as they fit our mold and are a true top 6 talent. If needed Johansson can always play RW, Zacha can shift off center, or Bratt slides down to 3rd. Either way having too many good offenseman when it is affordable is never a bad thing.
Finally, we need a very young and promising goaltending prospect. I mean lets find out who the top 5-7 goaltending prospects are and pick one to go for. We need a surefire prospect to at least have some sort of future there. I know goaltending is so hard to predict but grabbing a Hart/Shestyorkin/Sorokin type would do wonders for the heart and mind.
So we can do all this, aye? Hischier and Bratt are on ELCs, Butcher is making scraps, and almost our entire bottom 6 is and likely will be making under 4mil (Zajac...). Palmieri is underpaid for what he can produce and Johansson, on accounts of some other posters here, should be able to carry his weight and more when healthy. We can not only afford these acquisitions but can relax thinking about future cap issues in the next 2-3-4 years because it is rising quite a bit as well as younger, underpaid players contributing a ton.