First Isles need to identify their core and then estimate how much will likely to cost them to keep each, then they can decide who they can afford to trade or unprotect this summer? The obvious ones are: Barzal, Pulock, Pelech, Dobson, Wahlstrom, Nelson, Lee, and then one starter. The rest - 1st tier: Bailey? Ebs? Beau? Cizikas? Mayfield? Leddy? Second tier: Bellows? Holmstrom? Bolduc? Salo? 3rd tier: Wilde? Dufour? Adam? and so on. Mind you size needs to be taken into consideration as NHL does demand physical play even if you are a bit on the small side. Soft small players will not cut it unless you have proven generational talent especially on the scoresheet. I did not include Martin because I think he will among the core but unlikely protected so he will either stay or may get picked by Seattle if they want a vet like him. Clutterbuck will likely not come back after this contract or traded. MDC - unless he start to score soon he probably will not be protected and maybe easily replaced by another prospect with more talent down the road. His problem is that he does not PK so if he can stay on top 9 he will likely not have a spot on Isles down the road.
Does Isles need to resign Beau after this year? If yes and that if they can't reasonably expect to resign him to a friendly contract that will leave plenty cap room down the road for Pelech, Dobson, Barzal, Wahlstrom, either Sorokin or another capable back up, and likely Cizikas too, then maybe they can trade him plus either a pick (excluding 2022 1st), or a B+ prospect or right to sign a high end drafted college player to a team like Nashville, LA or San Jose for an upgrade on left wing. Beau has value as he has proven last year that he can score, PK, and he is good in the shootout, still quite young and has good speed. Maybe there is a team out there looking for someone like him. I will prefer not to trade him within Metro though.
If his contract will not be an issue or cost Isles to not able to protect a good players in the expansion draft, then keep him and trade someone else. I will stay away from older vet that is on a declining path.
A player that I think would not cost Isles a fortune in picks and high ceiling prospect will be maybe Tanner Pearson on the Canucks. He does battle well on the boards and proven in the past that he can score around the net. He will not dazzle you with his play but he can be serviceable and he does have enough winning experience from LA to know how to finish plays. I do not think Canucks can afford to resign him with so many of their young high end talents to resign in the near future. Pearson can be a stop gap for Lee. Maybe Canucks will be interested in MDC + Colorado's 2nd for Pearson.
Of course Forsburg will be a better trade but there will be heavy competition for him and Nashville will ask for the moon or they would probably rather keep him if the price is not right. He also will be a rental as he may ask a lot as UFA and may not resign with a team with more cap space.
Hall? I am not sure because he has a tough time this year and he will be another rental for Isles too. I also think his style may not mesh well with Barzal because they both love to carry the puck and Hall is not a strong back checker and not exactly a player who loves to go to the dirty area and his recent shot to the head injury probably will deter him even more. He also seems to carry some bad luck, not sure why.
