How this team will work is getting the most out of Sutter and Kunitz at the trade deadline, with signing both Russian players, and keeping in mind JR won't do many moves around the draft.

Sunq is going to play easier minutes on the 4th line, to prepare him for moving up to the 3rd line when Sutter is traded at the trade deadline. Spaling will then take the 4th line center spot to finish the season. Yes, Spaling is being kept for expensive 4th line duty and his PK skill, get over it.

Kunitz will be traded to a contender in the West, with Kerby or Kap moving up to take his spot.

With the money saved by signing the Russian players, Martin will very likely be kept here by management. I have him at 4 years for 22 million.

Scuderi is going to be dumped at an asset loss to a cap floor team, I picked Arizona because they need even MORE help tanking for #1 pick next year.

Cole is resigned for 3 years at 2.25 million a year.

Lovejoy and Dumoulin will be alternating in the 6th man slot. After this year, Lovejoy can walk or we could explore keeping him if he stays for cheap to be the 21st man on the team and 7th Dman for another year or two. We get hurt every other day, and our young D will start making a huge amount during the 2nd year of the cheap extension, so he can be traded anytime at the wishful thinking price.