From Pretenders to Contenders

Yep Sens would better this year for sure, but how to pay the new contracts for Stutzie, DeBrincat, Weegar, Pinto and Zub next season?

Flames are all in this year and won't be trading Weegar.

I acknowledge the cap gets tights, but nowhere near impossible. Unlike some teams, we don't give most players NOT or even MNTC. So many options. How good was Sanderson's season. Did he steal a 2nd pairing spot... Is Chabot looking over his shoulder yet? How are JBD and Thomson looking with another full AHL season? Is one of them ready to step in for Weegar?
Is DeBrincat refusing to sign longterm? We could certainly get much more than we paid for him. Is Greig proving he could play middle 6?
There are just so many question and possible solutions. I don't see it as a bad problem.
They key is getting them a good playoff run, not a one-and-done playoff, like win a round or maybe even two... that would go really far in getting our young core ready to win it all very soon.

Yep, I like the Sens and their future. Gee, Sens, Wings, and Sabres and even the Habs could be good to very good in the Atlantic soon. But agree with you, having too many good players is not a problem.
But in a cap strapped NHL, signing players or even trading players with big contracts and expecting a good return can be a problem.
That's why IMO it's so important to get good ELC players....who are NHLers, it so necessary to make the total cap work.
Yeah, I don't see the fascination with Chychrun, but certainly moving Zaitsev helps.

neither

Agree. My true belief is that if Sanderson is as good as I'm thinking he might be, Chabot might become a piece Ottawa considers moving before his MNTC kicks in and focus on high end ELC players and picks in the return. Same goes for DeBrincat if he isn't willing to make Ottawa home.