Given the lower than expected cap combined with the number of top-tier RFAs looking for big-money means the trade market for middle-tier players is going to be very weak. A lot of teams HAVE to move salary to sign their players and the few teams with cap-space will be operating in a buyer's market and thus can be very discerning in who they take on and at what price.
In this environment I think it will be impossible to move Staal or Smith. We should also void buy-outs like the plague and avoid adding picks to move contracts.
Relevant tradeable assets include Kreider, Names, Strome, Fast, and Shattenkirk.
Shattenkirk would be ideal to move but even with 50% retention might be difficult to find a team with the capspace and need for an aging, declining PP QB.
From there we would also probably look to move 1-2 forwards depending on the RFA contracts for Buch, Trouba, DeAngelo, and Lemieux. Kreider to Arizona would be a good fit. They have Kessel and Grabner, and addition of Kreider could give them three lines with top-end speed. Kreider for Arizona 1st + Brad Richardson (who we would dump in the AHL). ARI can keep Richardson if they want.
I would gladly move Strome or Names for a 3rd-4th in next year's draft with 0% retention. But given the market I would even take a 6th or 7th. Understand its not the best asset management but at this point let's get rid of them and move on. Another option might be LA Kings. Either Names or Strome or both for Lewis (1 yr left till UFA at $2mm, age 32, career high 26 pts) and/or Kyle Clifford (1 yr left at $1.6mm, age 28, career high 21 points). Upgrades the Kings depth scoring if they plan to compete this year. If not, can probably flip either of them at the TDL for more than they would have gotten for Lewis or Clifford. NYR would put whoever they got back into the minors which serves two-fold purpose of clearing cap space and filling out Wolfpack roster with veterans.
None of this is ideal but, I just don't think teams will get the types of quality returns they want this summer on their middle-six, bottom-four players.