There are ways to reach the cap floor next year.

Both Gaborik and MacArthur will stay on the IR instead of the LTIR, contributing to the cap next year. Condon's career took a nose dive with a major hip injury so you can also throw him on IR for the cap floor.

Attempting to sign free agents is futile unfortunately. Unless you can convince a guy past his prime to mentor the young kids coming in, I doubt they'd come here to play. Ceci will get paid at least 5 for 2 years if not more for longer (unfortunately again). Plus, going through free agency takes a spot from one of the young guys like Batherson, Formenton and Brown.

Meh, take it in the derriere for Lafreniere.

Rather than overpay players, which will set your rebuild back should you actually sign a higher dollar UFA or choose to trade for payroll/cap dumps (which I know is just not in the old man's nature), you should trade CBJ a couple draft picks, say a 2nd and 5th or 6th, for Wennberg. He is a solid two-way center with good speed, vision, passing ability, and defensive skills. His knock has been that he just doesn't look to shoot the puck, and he needs a change in scenery. He would be ideal to help solidify one of your top 3 F lines, especially with skilled wingers who can finish plays. Plus he gets you $4.9M closer to your salary floor. We would throw in Milano for free. Also, we will trade solid D man (left side, sorry) Kukan to you (if McQuaid resigns with us) for another mid draft pick (3rd or 4th rd.).

Trade makes sense, I like it.