Gotta think the only players that will be available are for teams out of the playoff race. Can't see teams making a move till after Christmas....and that help Tampa's cap too.

I hope you don’t need help on the backend lol.
Y’all just PAID Sergachev and Cernak 8 year extensions just a few months ago XD

I'm confused, how does waiting improve Tampa's cap situation?

If Devils are out of playoff race by trade deadline...and they haven't extended either Graves or Severson, I would think.

Severson (one of these options):
(a) Late 1st or early 2nd plus a decent prospect
(b) 1st and 3rd
(c) Two quality prospects
(d) A forward of similar value

Graves (one of these options):
(a) 3rd and decent prospect
(b) 2nd and 4th/5th
(c) One quality prospect

With retention, add equivalent to mid round pick.

Vancouvers not moving Rathbone

For example. If a player has 6m cap hit that is spread over a 82 game schedule. But if this 6m is traded closer to TDL....lets say with one third of the season left, his new team takes on a 2m cap for the rest of the season, his original team has a 4m cap for the season.

Kings aren’t making that mistake like the did with cernak. You can have walker.

Mikey Anderson isn't available and I can't see us trading Sean Durzi for anything except in a package for Sergachev, which ain't happening.

Yeah, the actual salary is less. But the cap hit remains the same, no?

No. The player's cap remains the same spread out over 82 games....But who pays the cap is the issues. My example above, is that the team that has him the most time, pays the most.
Now in CapFriendly, the "math" doesn't quite work the same as the real NHL rules.