This is interesting but I see no reason why Hughes would want to spend to the cap or even close to it

Price if his good to go next season

Romanov retires>? Theres a case to be made that if we move Petry we will need to add RD, highly doubt that kilngsberg but atleast that move is plausible. I see no reason to also sign a LD going into next season we will have Edmudson, Ghule Romanov, Norlinder and potentially Harris on that left side, theres no need to spend money there its the biggest strength in our prospect pool.

Even then he's said he wants to retool and focus on the future

and why would cbj do that. we are not trading texier

Texier is not available. Certainly not for run-of-the-mill middle-6 wingers.

Rather keep LOC in Colorado. Not that value isn't there perhaps, but cap-wise for what each player delivers, LOC is too important.