That's a lot of questions that don't have simple answers, so I'm not going to try to compile it all into one post. A search of my post history will show you my general opinions on a lot of those topics. I know I've at least touched on the last question today in another thread.
It's hard to formulate a specific "the Blues should do this" plan because we simply don't know a lot of things that Armstrong knows. How much of Bouwmeester's decline in play last year was due to injury? What sort of numbers are the Backes camp looking for in an extension? What players are being shopped by other teams, and what are the asking prices? What's being offered for the names that we have available? What's the projected budget short and long-term? Etc.
We can guess at some of those things, but others we're completely in the dark on.
Generally speaking, I think my views on a lot of those topics (Armstrong, Hitchcock, team needs, expendable assets, etc.) are fairly moderate relative to the other posters here. Eberle is one of the few specific discussion points where I find myself outside what I feel like is the consensus opinion, but I have reasons for what I believe, so I might as well share them. (Lehtera is another, but to a lesser extent.)
If others disagree with what I'm saying, that's fine by me. I'm not here to campaign for an agenda, and I'm not quite foolish enough to think that all my opinions are right. I just enjoy having a thoughtful exchange of ideas.
