I'd rather get a good forward back if we're trading Cirelli and keeping Sergachev/Cernak/McDonagh

You're still 1 player short and over the cap, And Sergachev probably gets at least $1 million more then what you're offering as well.

Not a chance the Lightning do that trade. Add another second at least.

Honest question: would you really need another forward if you traded Cirelli? You'd still have Kuch, Point, and Stamkos. That's a hell of a core. Not to mention your complimentary players have proven to be more than capable of producing good seasons. Genuinely curious

Or you could get McDonagh and Johnson/Palat/Gourde/Killorn to waive their NTC’s...

for a bridge deal, sergachev will take it, they're not Toronto where they overpaid their Stars

I don't like that bottom 6

That's fair, but Coleman is good. Stephens is a solid player as well. The wings could use some work, though. Your top 6 is still as good as any in the league and the defense is incredible. Not to mention Vasilevsky is a top 5 goalie in the league.

I see Sergachev getting a similar deal as Charlie McAvoy, Around 3 x $4.9 million give or take.

Buffalo accepts

BFLO desperately needs a 2C so they would accept
Mittelstadt only needs a qualifying offer - $971,250
Montour likely $1M more plus ($4.8M according to Evolving Hockey projections)

why would they do that?