Arizona is not giving a high pick for a bum like Bickell. They can reach cap floor by signing actually capable hockey players, getting better scrubs from waivers, or trading for a Jeff Skinner etc. When you are operating on a small budget, you need to get good value for dollar so you can compete. Not sign every overpaid scrub just so you can reach the floor.

And you're still against the cap with just 21 players.

Bowman wont go out and sign FA's for such steep prices. for the money that is given to franson and frolik plus the returning salaries from trades the hawks would be better off bringing back guys like oduya, richards, desjardins. also you are too low for saad and kruger. plausible but still low