I know people have already said but with the depth in the forward corps defense might be the urgent need. Maybe in this order
RD bottom 4
LD bottom pair
2C to push down the depth chart keeping Mittelstadt depending on target.
RW depth as nuke insurance/depth
Trade/LTIR bad fits cap constraints (Colton/Wood)
RD:
Seth Jones? (depends on retention and trade pieces)
Jacob Trouba? Fully retainted would he be useful or just full goon now?
Rasmus Andersson, how much will he cost if available?
Michael Kesseiring, can he be pried away for the right package?
Rasmus Ristolainen, is he useful for what we would need?
Scott Mayfield, would he be more effective than Manson for 2nd pair?
Ivan Provorov, off hand but useful?
Conor Murphy? Something out of left field like Colton/Malinski for Cernak?
LD:
A lot of options around the league to better stabilize the bottom pairing.
C:
Brock Nelson, he would be ideal and if retained wouldnt even have to move Mittelstadt.
TJ Miller/EP40, I think they would at least need to check on this situation.
Sidney Crosby, pipe dream
Nazem Kadri, would he be available if Calgary remains in the hunt?
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, would he be more effective than Mittelstadt or would just be good depth? Similar with Gourde.
Is there anyone else available that would move the needle?
RW middle six depth:
Oliver Bjorkstrand, saw him on one trade list.
Alex Tuch, is Buffalo going to sell off pieces?
Lawson Crouse, will Utah sell for the right package?
MIght not be necessary or practical if Landeskog comes back.
Can McFarland retool further after the Rantanen trade? How many more trades are practical without disrupting the team?