What is this obsession of not wanting “30 year olds”? Part of your guys issues are because you are a team that is very much inexperienced and immature.
It just limits your choices. I mean if Ekholm or McDonough were to suddenly become available, you wouldn’t want his services just because he’s 30+?
Anyways as for LD, you already mentioned Pettersson. Ryan Lindgren is probably going to be expendable due to Rangers need for cap space. Hague/McNabb could be available considering Vegas has a ton of defenseman that are going to be expendable as cap casualties. There’s Skjei if you can outbid Carolina when he hits UFA. Other LD UFA’s are Dillon, Grzelyck, Kylington, Zadorov and Cole (Canucks likely try to resign one of the latter). Middleton from Minnesota is another. Other more expensive options are Fehervary and JJ Moser, but good luck getting them with that package.