In this scenario it's better to buy Sheary out you have 600+k in cap space. 583,333 for the buyout and you don't give away any futures TB sorely lacks to begin with.

Don’t want dead money. That’s a killer.

Not enough dead money to worry about

I'd actually improve the defense if no Duclaor. Save 500k-1 million by paying Stamkos 6-6.5, get rid of Dumba(since he sucks) and promote Crozier or just re-sign Fleury to save 200k more. Trade Jeannot and save 1.5 by replacing him with a ~1 million aav 4th liner, and trade Perbix, whi also isn't good. They could then spend around 3.5-4 on an actual defensive upgrade for next year instead of rolling out the same trash after the main 3 or 4 guys.