I don't know what other teams' specific situations are, but I think MB's plan is: Trade Benn and sign Després. Després isn't the answer to the defensive depth, but I would take him over Benn. With Weber and Schlemko out with injuries, the Canadiens will start the year with 7 defensemen and 14 forwards.
Forwards: Drouin, Domi, Gallagher, Danault, Tatar, Lehkonen, Kotkaniemi, Hudon, Plekanec, De La Rose, Scherbak, Peca, Byron, and Armia. On IR: Deslauriers & Shaw.
Defense: Petry, Reilly, Mete, Juulsen, Alzner, Ouellet, and Després. On IR: Weber & Schlemko.
Goalies: Price & Niemi.