$4M / year is the highest I'd go, it's not as simple as giving Myers's money to Zadorov because we have to account for the raises for the likes of Petersson, Hronek, either Lindholm or someone else in the top six, Joshua or his replacement, keep space for eventual raises for the likes of Hoglander, another top four RHD, and once we're getting into long-term deals account for raises for Hughes and Demko.
Not to mention the awkward years of the jump in OEL's buyout, and no, the rising cap alone doesn't cover for all of that, not even close.
Maybe your comparison is the wrong players.
The concept of STOPPING goals is not flashy or sells many tickets, it just wins championships.
Petey's raise is accounted for.
Switch Zadorov and Myers contracts around and there is no more, additional cap space used.
If cap space is needed then trade one or both of the players that have asked a multitude of times to be traded, Boeser and Garland. That would save over 11 million in cap space and create enough extra space to go big game hunting.
Ya, ya but, but ,but Boeser scored 35+ goals! So? Horvat was on pace for 40 and he was replaced. Boeser is a one dimensional complimentary player. He isn't even "sniping" goals anymore, tips and 5 foot shots, hardly any from more than 10 feet away. Used to "snipe" those but misses the net entirely if 20 feet out.
Pretty sure 11+ million can find 50 goals during a season, but would the team really need to find that many if the prospects step it up? Maybe find 25 goals or build a defence that stops an additional 30 goals against.
But at least you are thinking logically, about logistics. Where things come from, how to get things, ramifications, impacts, etc..