Zucc's would be a good add... but not for what he will cost. I wouldn't move Jarry+ for him next season. Honestly, I'd try to find a way to move on from Sheary (ARI/Panik, EDM/??, BUF/Grigs/Antipin, etc) and then I'd just keep trying to add some depth.
On the blueline, there's two tiers I'd look at depending on what's happening with Hunwick. If he stays, I'd look at the dirt cheap guys who could be decent adds - basically more Ruhwedel's. If he goes, then I'd look a little above that as guys who might be cheapish, but can play and maybe replace some of what we lost in Cole.
- Emelin, Sbisa, Hickey, Holden, Rutta
- Folin, Chorney, C.Wideman, Sproul, Barberio
Up front other than a 5C/4L replacement of Rowney (who I really hope we let go), there's very little there that makes much sense. Maybe Jooris or Dowd/Wagner. One really interesting target is Peca. Kid is 24 and will be a FA due to games played with TB. Good AHL numbers (has 7pts in 20 NHL games), and is a good in the circle (208 FOs, 52.6%). Just small at 5.8/175. There's a few others who could be our new Rowneys (younger and hopefully more skilled). I'd kick tires there.
There will be your typical depth wingers, but unless they come cheap enough to make sense, I'd pass on them. But contract depending, guys like Pouliot, Calvert and Comeau would hold some interest. But I'm talking at a sub 1m contract.
Guentzel - Crosby - Hornqvist/Rust
Hagelin - Malkin - Hornqvist/Rust
XXXXX - Brassard - Kessel
VVVVV - Sheahan - YYYYY
depth C we don't mind scratching nightly (Jooris would be perfect for this role)
Kuhnhackl (yes I'd keep him if he signs his QO of ~725k).
YYY : Needs to be your 5C guy who can PK. Basically your Rowney replacement. TB has the 18/19 season before waivers are required, so at the bare minimum, he should get some games to see where he's at. Peca would also be a nice fit here if he hits FA. Otherwise find someone who adds something different (Grigs?) and who can fill that PK C2 spot, and still play - who we will actually play.
XXX: Some combo of whatever you got for Sheary... or your skilled guys like Sprong/Simon (both who need waivers). Move Rust around as needed depending on how the lines sort out.
VVV: Someone ideally with speed and a little grit to their game, and who PKs so we're not dependent on Kuhn. ZAR would work, or an FA like Pouliot/Comeau/Calvert if the contract is right. But I want to see more speed/2way play in the lineup. And while I don't mind ZAR there, depending on how many legitimate options we have behind him if he doesn't pan out (are guys like DiPauli, Johnson, Tiffels, Lindberg, etc ready?) then I do not really mind looking at FAs for that role. I just want to be sure that we have at least 1 roster spot that is not completely set in stone, so that we're not entirely dependent on injuries to fill it. In 15/16 and 16/17 we had enough injuries that we got some good looks at other guys. We didn't have that this year - which is great, but it's also a pain in the sense that we do not know exactly where some of our kids are at.