Couple things here.

Samsonov won't sign below his QO, which is a clean 2 mil. I think he signs for about that much, possibly a bit more if he does well in the playoffs.

Eller should be traded, but I doubt he's regarded as a true cap dump. could go for a mid round pick to a contender in the west.

I doubt Edmonton lets Kulak get to free agency. Alexeyev is a fine replacement.

Snively should make the opening lineup, and I don't think Washington plays the 2 scratch game again.

I'm not excited about Varlamov coming here given his age and only small improvement to the tandem, but if they trade for him, it should at least be a retained deal.

I think Samsonov takes under his QO for term (maybe 3 years/1.5 mil isn't enough, but I don't think it's impossible to get him under 2). Eller you probably have a point, just didn't feel like searching out a specific trade. Kulak again you're probably right, more just looking for a LD for that bottom pair. Not sure Alexeyev's strengths translate so well to a bottom pair role, but I support giving him a chance and bringing in a cheap free agent to compete for the spot. And I'm clearly a little more bullish on Varlamov as a clear upgrade over Samsonov/Vanecek, though agree salary retention could/should be a piece of the deal (though that may mean us adding a pick).

I would love for the Caps to get Valeri, another big productive forward for the top 6/9 that you can move around the lineup a bit.

This would be both a totally achievable and really good offseason. if anything you could probably get an asset for eller rather than giving one up

Made a couple changes based on the feedback - retention on varlamov and flipping Eller for a pick instead of spending one.

Isles could probably retain up to 50% if you wanted to get a little friendlier with that pick - I assume that Vanecek probably resigns as an RFA for $1.5-2M? That contract + that retention still saves the Isles money against next year's cap, so I'd be happy with it.

I think Varlamov would be good for Samsonov as a mentor - look at the work he's done with Sorokin the past few seasons. He's still a useful player too (.911 SV%, 4.7 GSAA would be best on this year's Capitals) so it's not like you're just getting him for his intangibles.