We can't just get rid of everybody and expect AHL players to do an NHL level job at a ridiculously low price. We have to be able to field an NHL team. If Pearson or Sutter can be re-signed for a decent price, you gotta look at that.
Depth players who were available as UFAs last offseason for <$2.5M:
Ryan $1M
Verhaeghe $1M
Soderberg $1M
Namestnikov $2M
Duclair $1.7M
Wallmark $950k
Haula $1.75M
Thornton $700k (!)
Brassard $1.2M
Simon $700k
Athanasiou $1.2M
Janmark $2.3M
Maroon $900k
Hinostroza $1M
Sheary $735k
Wennberg $2.25M
I would've been more than happy to replace Sutter with someone like Wallmark for even $1.5M, for instance. We'd have gotten a better, younger player at a third of the cost...
Hell, even Hoffman took a 1-year $4M deal that barely pays more than Pearson.
These are all guys who we could've filled out the supporting cast with - and yes,
at a ridiculously low price. There should be more this year too due to the flat cap. Just because we hardly ever benefit from these types of signings doesn't mean they aren't out there.