You're fine on the cap 100% but the UFA signings you made are kinda nonsensical.
I'd bet that Foote, Thompson, Gritsyuk and Zetterlund would collectively provide a lot more value for the Devils over the group of UFAs you brought in.
If anything the Devils should be looking at one major acquisition with term limited to 3 years next off-season in order to actually improve the team, Patrik Kane 2x8m anyone?
Tarasenko, Pacioretty and Bunting could also be some really good UFA targets.

This. Why would we overpay ZAR and Haula when Gritsyuk and Boqvist could be orders of magnitude better

In this scenario I wanted to move Mercer to 3C so that already moves Boqvist in best case to 4C. Does he really have the defensive side to be a grind it out shut down 4C? probably not. Not saying Haula can either. I'll concede if Gritsyuk has a good 22/23 season and is NHL ready, in that case he can have JVR's spot on line 3 saving 5mill. The only reason really for the Haula re-sign / ZAR & JVR signing is to "surround the kids with adults" - TF

The team has enough skill and I was trying to add some edge in the bottom 6. for reference Boqvist had 31 hits in 21/22. Haula had 129 & ZAR had 231. Couldn't find any info on Gritsyuk hit total. Obviously hits aren't everything but you get what I'm going for. The Haula & JVR signings are also only 1 year so if it turns out bad not really a big loss.

Your issue is "grind it out shut it down fourth line." A skilled fourth line suits our prospect pool far better

Yes, please