After the 2020-2021 season
Notable UFA
Gallagher
Tatar
Petry
Danault
Armia
Notable RFA
Kotkaniemi
Lehkonen
Here's what i consider would be the best case scenario :
Notable UFA
Gallagher 3.75 -> 5.5
Tatar 4.8 (current cap hit with us) -> 6 (500 000 more than his current salary will more than likely not happen but i don't see him accepting a drop in salary he'll want minimum a small raise)
Petry 5.5 -> 6.5 (last contract no way he goes beyond that amount)
Danault 3.083 -> 5
Armia 2.6 -> 3
Notable RFA
Lehkonen 2.4 -> 2.6
Domi 3.150 -> 4 (on a 1 or 2 years contract long term he'll want minimum the same amount of Drouin so we just buy time here)
So this very very very best case scenario where everyone is a very loyal dog put us 7.317 millions over our current cap. And you still got to resign Domi shortly after and this is hoping none of JK and Suzuki break out before their 2nd contract. You could let Armia or Lehkonen go but if you want to save money you'll have to replace them and given their salary you wont save much unless you take a gamble.
I still firmly believe MB should have sold 1 or 2 vet this deadline. Price were very good and we will have to trade one of them eventually if kids progress as expected. And if kids don't progress as expected then it's a waste of time to keep those vets the team ain't good enough without any help.
This best case scenario is unlikely to happen though. Some guys will get greedy i really don't see why Petry would not aim for 7 millions. Danault, Gallagher, Petry and Tatar will likely cost too much for what they are as a group (i.e. not good enough) and trading 1 or 2 of them was imo still the logical thing to do.